State-run China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) has widened restrictions on buying new seaborne iron ore cargoes from BHP, as a months-long contract dispute persists, reported Reuters.
The iron ore buyer is said to have told several traders to buy fewer BHP flagship grades like Mac fines and Newman fines and lumps, products that have not yet been part of the government’s reported restrictions.
In September 2025, CMRG barred domestic steel mills and traders from buying BHP’s Jimblebar fines and extended the ban in November to Jinbao iron ore.
Last month, two iron ore traders told the news agency that CMRG had instructed them to obtain permission before purchasing any BHP sea cargoes. They submitted their applications and have yet to receive a response.
China Mineral Resources Group was established in 2022 to centralize iron ore procurement and obtain better terms from major mining companies.
Source: Reuters