Iron Ore
Ametheus sources and supplies Indian-origin iron ore to steel mills, trading houses and pellet/sinter plants in China. This report sets out the typical commercial specifications we offer for fines, lumps and pebbles, together with the sampling, inspection and contractual framework used on export parcels.
| FINES
Sinter / pellet feed Size −10 mm Fe 63.5% · 58% · 52% |
LUMPS
Blast furnace / DRI feed Size 10–40 mm Fe 62% · 60% · 57% |
PEBBLES
Intermediate / blending Size 10–40 mm Fe 58% down to 55% |
Who this is for
- Chinese steel mills seeking Indian sinter feed, lump feed or blending cargoes
- Port-side traders and blending yards at Qingdao, Rizhao, Caofeidian, Tianjin and Lianyungang
- Pellet plants requiring consistent −10 mm fines with controlled silica and alumina
- Buyers who need independent load-port inspection (SGS / Bureau Veritas or equivalent)
| Commercial position
All figures in this report are typical offer specifications. Final contract specs, rejection limits, sampling protocol (ISO 3082 or equivalent) and moisture deduction are agreed in the sale contract. Origin: India. Availability is subject to mine and stock position and to prevailing export policy. |
1. Product forms and typical use
Indian iron ore is offered in three physical forms. Form determines how the cargo is used in the Chinese blast-furnace, sinter or pellet circuit. Size bands below are the usual commercial ranges; tighter screening can be discussed cargo by cargo.
| Form | Typical use in China | Usual size band | Moisture |
| Fines | Sinter plant feed / pellet feed | −10 mm | 8% max |
| Lumps | Direct blast-furnace or DRI feed | 10–40 mm | 7% max |
| Pebbles | Intermediate feed and blending | 10–40 mm | 7% max |
2. Iron ore fines
Fines are the core Indian export grade into China and are widely used as sinter feed, with selected high-grade lots suitable for pellet feed after further screening. Iron is quoted on a dry basis. Moisture is as received at the load port; price is customarily adjusted to a dry metric tonne.
Common size and moisture control — all fines grades
| Parameter | Typical limit | Purpose |
| +10 mm | 5.00% max | Protect sinter / pellet feed sizing |
| −0.15 mm (150 micron) | 40.00% max | Limit ultra-fines and handling loss |
| Moisture (as received) | 8.00% max | Load-port commercial moisture |
Chemical specification — fines
| Grade | Fe basis | Fe min | SiO₂ max | Al₂O₃ max | P max | S max |
| High-grade | 63.50% | 63.00% | 4.00% | 2.00% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Medium-grade | 58.00% | 57.00% | 6.00% | 3.00% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Low-grade | 52.00% | 51.00% | 6.00% | 3.00% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| How Chinese buyers typically use these fines
High-grade (Fe 63.5% basis) is positioned for higher-productivity sinter or selected pellet feed. Medium-grade (Fe 58% basis / 57% min) is the workhorse Indian blending grade regularly seen at Qingdao, Rizhao and Caofeidian. Low-grade (Fe 52% basis) is offered for cost-led blending where the mill can absorb higher gangue. Phosphorus and sulphur are held tight across all three grades. |
3. Iron ore lumps
Lumps are sized for direct charge to the blast furnace or, where chemistry and physical strength allow, as DRI plant feed. Compared with fines, lumps carry a lower moisture cap and a defined oversize / undersize envelope so that furnace permeability is protected.
Common physical control — all lump grades
| Parameter | Limit | Note |
| Size | 10 mm – 40 mm | Calibrated lump band |
| −6 mm | 15.00% max | Undersize / handling degradation |
| +40 mm | 5.00% max | Oversize rejection guard |
| Moisture (as received) | 7.00% max | Lower than fines |
Chemical specification — lumps
| Grade | Fe min | SiO₂ max | Al₂O₃ max | P max | S max |
| High-grade Fe 62% | 62.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
| High-grade Fe 60% | 60.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
| Low-grade Fe 57% | 57.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
4. Iron ore pebbles
Pebbles sit in the same 10–40 mm physical envelope as lumps and are offered as intermediate feed or as a blending component. Each Fe grade is contracted separately. Physical control is the same as lumps unless the parties agree otherwise.
Physical control — pebbles (same as lumps unless agreed)
| Parameter | Limit | Note |
| Size | 10 mm – 40 mm | Same band as lumps |
| −6 mm | 15.00% max | Undersize cap |
| +40 mm | 5.00% max | Oversize cap |
| Moisture (as received) | 7.00% max | As received at load port |
Available pebble grades (offered separately)
| Grade | Fe min | SiO₂ max | Al₂O₃ max | P max | S max |
| Pebbles 58% | 58.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
| Pebbles 57% | 57.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
| Pebbles 56% | 56.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
| Pebbles 55% | 55.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 0.10% | 0.05% |
5. Commercial terms
Basis of analysis
Fe is reported on a dry basis unless the contract states otherwise. Gangue (SiO₂, Al₂O₃) and penalty elements (P, S) are likewise dry-basis percentages.
Moisture and pricing unit
Moisture is measured as received at the load port. The sale price is typically adjusted to a dry metric tonne (dmt): dry tonnes = wet tonnes × (1 − moisture%). The exact deduction formula is written into the contract.
Typical rejection
A cargo is typically rejectable if Fe falls below the stated minimum, or if SiO₂, Al₂O₃, P or S exceed the stated maximum. Size-fraction and moisture breaches may trigger price adjustment or rejection as agreed. Rejection limits are always those of the signed contract, not this sheet.
Sampling and inspection
Independent surveyor at load port — SGS, Bureau Veritas, or an equivalent mutually agreed house. Sampling and sample preparation follow ISO 3082 (or equivalent agreed method). Moisture of the lot follows ISO 3087 practice unless otherwise specified. Buyer may appoint a witness surveyor.
Origin and availability
Origin: India. Supply is subject to mine and stock position, rail and port slots, and the export policy in force at the time of shipment, including any duty applicable to the contracted Fe band.
Quality documentation
Standard load-port pack: certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing/weight list, bill of lading, certificate of quality and quantity issued by the independent surveyor, and phytosanitary or other documents if the discharge port requires them.
| What we still agree cargo by cargo
Laycan and load port, parcel size, Incoterms (FOB India or CFR main China ports), payment (customarily letter of credit), penalty / bonus scale for Fe and impurities, and any tighter size curve required by a specific sinter or pellet plant. This sheet is an offer framework, not a binding specification until both parties sign. |
6. Working with Ametheus
Ametheus is a technology-driven commodity house covering metals and minerals, energy, agri-bulks and trade-finance structuring. For iron ore we act as origin sourcer and supplier into China: we lock mine or stock availability, arrange independent inspection, and structure the export documents and, where required, the letter of credit.
| Step | Action | What happens |
| 01 | Enquiry | Send required form (fines / lumps / pebbles), Fe band, monthly or spot tonnage, target China port and preferred Incoterm. |
| 02 | Indication | We revert with a firm or subject-to-confirmation indication, indicative laycan and the specification that will sit in the contract. |
| 03 | Contract | Sale contract records specs, rejection limits, sampling (ISO 3082), moisture formula, inspection house and payment. |
| 04 | Shipment | Load-port weighing and sampling under independent survey. Documents released against the agreed payment instrument. |
7. Information to include in an enquiry
| Item | What helps us quote accurately |
| Product | Fines / lumps / pebbles and the Fe grade required |
| Quantity | Spot cargo or monthly programme, and tolerance |
| Discharge | China port (or range) and any draft limitation |
| Incoterms | FOB load port or CFR named China port |
| Timing | Laycan window or first shipment month |
| Payment | LC at sight, usance LC, or other instrument |
| Special limits | Any mill-specific SiO₂, Al₂O₃, P or size curve |
| Request a firm offer
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