Sydney, Jan 14, 2026, 17:22 AEDT — After-hours
- Mineral Resources ended up 1.4% at A$61.34, a new 52-week high
- China logged record iron ore imports in 2025; an analyst warned more supply could weigh on prices
- Next focus: MinRes quarterly update due Jan. 29
Mineral Resources ended Wednesday up 1.4% at A$61.34, hitting a fresh 52-week high after a strong two-day run for the Australian miner and mining services provider.
The move matters now because MinRes is tightly geared to bulk commodities and battery metals, where China demand signals can swing sentiment fast. Traders are also looking ahead to the company’s next quarterly update later this month.
China is the key customer for seaborne iron ore, and fresh customs data on Wednesday showed the world’s top steel producer imported a record 1.26 billion metric tons of iron ore in 2025, with December imports also setting a monthly record.
MinRes shares rose from Tuesday’s close of A$60.50 and traded between A$59.85 and A$61.34 on Wednesday, according to Google Finance data.
The same data showed China’s December steel exports hit a record 11.3 million tons as exporters rushed shipments ahead of an export licence requirement set to begin in 2026, Reuters reported.
That export rush may not be a clean positive for miners. “Global iron ore supply is forecast to grow by 2.5% in 2026, and shipments to China are expected to increase by between 36 million and 38 million tons, piling pressure on prices,” said Bai Xin, an analyst at consultancy Horizon Insights. Reuters
Benchmark iron ore was last around $107.90 a metric ton on Jan. 13, little changed on the day, after rising earlier this month, Trading Economics data showed.
Lithium, another swing factor for MinRes, has also been moving sharply. Lithium prices rose to 159,500 yuan a ton on Jan. 13, up 4.9% from the prior day, according to Trading Economics.
Other miners were firmer on the day, with BHP up 1.1% and Rio Tinto up 0.8%, while lithium-exposed names Pilbara Minerals and Liontown added 0.2% and 1.4%, respectively, according to Google Finance.
Still, the downside case sits in plain view: China’s property market remains weak and a state-backed research agency forecast steel demand would fall 1% this year, while higher iron ore supply could cap prices even if imports stay elevated.
Investors now turn to MinRes’ quarterly report and briefing scheduled for Jan. 29 for colour on volumes, costs and the pace of any ramp-ups across its iron ore and lithium units.
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