China Mineral Resources Group instructed steel mills in China to delay negotiations with Australian mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) for shipments starting in September, Reuters reported Thursday, citing unnamed sources.
The latest move from the Chinese state-owned iron ore purchaser, which is believed to be negotiating the purchase of more than half of China's annual iron ore volumes, is reportedly a way to put pressure on some mills to give CMRG negotiation rights for procurement deals.
Rio Tinto did not immediately respond to a request for comment from, while CMRG could not be reached.
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