Anglo American Secures Iron Ore Supply Deal with China’s CMRG

Anglo American has concluded a one-year iron ore supply agreement with China Mineral Resources Group, effective from 1 April 2026 until 31 March 2027. The arrangement involves shipments from the miner’s South African subsidiary, Kumba Iron Ore, and explicitly excludes production from its Minas-Rio project in Brazil. This development aligns Anglo American with rival BHP Group, which also finalised a similar supply pact with CMRG earlier this year.

During an earnings call in late July, Kumba Iron Ore acknowledged the agreement but withheld specific details regarding contract volume or pricing terms. Ebrahim Dadoo, Anglo American’s global head of sales and trading, described engagements with CMRG as constructive and confirmed the deal impacts products sold to member mills. He noted that the volumes covered by this specific contract constitute a small fraction of the company’s total output. Approximately 54 per cent of Anglo American’s iron ore production is currently directed to China through various channels, including spot sales and agreements outside the CMRG framework.

CMRG acts as a procurement agent for more than half of China’s steelmakers in negotiations with international miners. While Kumba Iron Ore sold roughly 37 million tonnes of higher-grade product in 2025, Anglo American declined to provide further comment on the new deal. CMRG did not immediately respond to requests for information. The agreement comes as other major producers, including BHP and Fortescue, navigate prolonged negotiations with the state-backed group, with contract renewals expected to remain a key focus in the coming year.