Australia's iron ore exports to increase 22 percent in 2014

In 2013, Australia's exports of metallurgical coal are expected to increase by an estimated 12 percent to 162 million metric tons, according to a report by the Australian Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE). In 2014, increased production from various mines in Queensland is forecast to support a four percent increase in metallurgical coal exports to 168 million metric tons. Production from a number of new and expanded mines that have been commissioned recently, such as BMA's Daunia and Rio Tinto and Mitsui's Kestrel mines, are expected to support further the increase in exports.
 
In 2013, Australia's exports of iron ore are estimated to increase by 18 percent, relative to 2012, to total 581 million metric tons. The increase has been supported by expansions at a number of projects owned by Australia's larger operators, including Fortescue and BHP Billiton. In 2014, Australia's iron ore exports are forecast to increase by a further 22 percent, to total 709 million metric tons. The second year of growth is forecast as the large amount of investment in recent years in mines and infrastructure, particularly in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, enters the production phase. This includes projects such as Fortescue Metal Group's Solomon Hub (60 million mt), BHP Billiton's Jimblebar mine (35 million mt), and Rio Tinto's Hope Downs 4 (15 million mt).
 
Meanwhile in 2013, Brazil's iron ore exports are estimated to decrease by one percent to total 322 million metric tons, in line with lower total ore production. In 2014, Brazil's exports are forecast to increase to 352 million metric tons as additional ore from expansions at Vale's Conceição Itabiritos and Carajas operations is sold on international markets.