The pilot programme might not affect the ratio of iron ore in mills' blends, which has seen less direct-charge use recently, but total output might be reduced, a mill iron ore buyer said.

The stronger pricing environment is more than offsetting the higher costs, with most firms guiding for a much more profitable January-June than July-December.

Fortescue shipped 3.42mn dwt, up from 3.01mn dwt the week before but 3pc below its average of 3.54mn dwt.

The pilot programme might not affect the ratio of iron ore in mills' blends, which has seen less direct-charge use recently, but total output might be reduced, a mill iron ore buyer said.

The prices of vanadium alloy has fallen back;

The molybdenum alloy market run smoothly;

The prices of tungsten alloy up steadily;

The 2105 ferrosilicon contract price on ZCE closed at 8,078 yuan per ton on March 5.