BigMint’s Monthly Snapshot of India’s Coal & Energy Market (Jan 2026). It covers key developments across: - Coal production and dispatch - Power demand and generation - Industrial fuel consumption - Coal imports and trade flows The report is a preview of the data and insights

Chinese hot-rolled coil (HRC) and rebar prices both declined m-o-m in February 2026, reflecting seasonal demand weakness during the Lunar New Year holiday period

Coal stock levels at thermal power plants have improved significantly compared with the tight conditions seen in previous years. Total coal inventory across monitored plants rose from 45.8 mnt in September to 59.3 mnt in February, indicating that the system has entered the

Jindal Steel Power Ltd has emerged as the highest bidder in the Thakurani-A1 iron ore mine block auction, offering a premium of 101.20%

India's crude steel production hit a record 15.15 million tonnes (mnt) in January 2026, the highest monthly volume ever recorded. Expectations of 8-10% steel demand growth in FY'26 have kept the Indian steel industrys prospects bright and pushed steelmakers to steadily ramp up

Rising tensions between United States and Iran are sending shockwaves through global commodity markets. Oil prices are surging, freight costs are climbing, and new war-risk charges are appearing across key shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz. The ripple effects are

Dr. Abhishek Govilkar ,Head – Agribusiness, BigMint, in Conversation with ET Now Swadesh highlighted that escalating tensions in West Asia could disrupt fertilizer production and supply chains, as a significant share of global urea and ammonia originates from the Gulf region.

Sandur's manganese ore auction fetches decent response, bids exhibit stability On 5 March 2026, @TheSandur Manganese and Iron Ore Limited (SMIORE) conducted an auction offering 15,624 t of manganese ore (fines and lumps) across 26-35% Mn grades and -10 mm to 100 mm sizes.

India’s rebar market is seeing fresh price movement as major steel producers raise list prices for early March dispatches. At the same time, mill inventories are falling while infrastructure demand continues to provide support.

BigMint's India steel composite index witnessed a sudden surge last week, rising by 2.3% w-o-w, as assessed on 6 March 2026, compared with a drop of 0.2% the week before. This may be attributed to the 3.1% rise in the longs index, with rebar and structural steel prices

US-Israel-Iran Tensions Push Oil, Shipping & Freight Costs Higher Tensions between the United States and Iran are starting to ripple through global trade. Oil prices are rising, shipping companies are reacting, and freight markets are flashing early warning signals. With risks

Pakistan's ferrous scrap imports increased by 37% y-o-y to 3.6 million tonnes (mnt) in CY'25 compared with 2.62 mnt in CY'24, as per latest BigMint data. On a y-o-y basis, December imports surged 95%, indicating a significant year-end rebound in scrap arrivals when tax

US-Iran conflict raises logistics risks for copper scrap trade, freight costs climb- BigMint analysis - Escalating geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, are beginning to raise logistical risks for India's copper trade flows. - As per BigMint data , India could face

The immediate impact of the crisis is not demand disruption. Instead, the first pressure point is becoming clear: logistics constraints and energy costs are starting to shape metals pricing.

Scrap markets are tightening as freight costs rise and shipping lines adjust routes to avoid risk zones. Energy volatility is also feeding into higher costs across the steel value chain.

Steel trade flows to the Middle East are facing uncertainty as shipping routes adjust and freight conditions change. Exporters are becoming cautious while buyers reassess logistics risks across the region.

Rising tensions in the Middle East are beginning to affect the global metals ecosystem. Early signals are emerging across steel, scrap, aluminium, and energy markets - largely through logistics disruption and higher input costs.

Dr. Abhishek Govilkar, Head – Agribusiness, BigMint, in conversation with @ETNOWlivefertiliser, highlighted that the Iran–Middle East belt accounts for roughly 25–30% of global ammonia-based fertiliser supply, creating significant volatility in global fertilizer markets amid the

#WATCH | How are rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia impacting the global fertiliser market? Abhishek Govilkar, BigMint, explains how disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz are causing significant damage to ammonia-based fertiliser supply chains - listen in Full interview:

South African thermal coal prices at Indian ports have climbed to a three-year high, driven by stronger export offers and higher freight costs amid Middle East tensions. Ex-Paradip RB2 (5,500 NAR) rose to ₹11,700/t, up about ₹1,100-1,200/t w-o-w. Buying interest remains weak