China's benchmark power coal price dropped slightly during the past week.

The No 8 BF was temporarily idled in mid-March amid lower demand resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and related automotive production stoppages.

Trade unions in the UK suggest they will not allow the end of blast furnace steel production.

China's Tianjin port saw iron ore imports rise 13.6 percent year-on-year to around 37.86 million tons in the first half of this year, according to Tianjin Customs.

Zhanjiang saw a resumption of growth in its economy in the first half of this year after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The 2009 ferrosilicon contract price on ZCE closed at 5628 yuan per ton on July 23.

Italian steel producers' association, Italian crude steel production fell by 7.9 percent year on year in June this year to 1.916 million tonnes.

Blast Furnace 5 reached the end of its useful life and was idled, decision on its further use pending.