In this piece, we will take a look at the five biggest iron ore producers and mines in the world. For more companies and mines, head on over to 12 Biggest Iron Ore Producers and Mines in the World.
5. Anglo American plc (OTCMKTS:AAUKF)
Total iron ore produced as of December 2021: 64 million tonnes
Anglo American plc (OTCMKTS:AAUKF) is a British mining company that is one of the oldest of its kind in the world as it was set up in 1917. The firm is headquartered in London, and it mines iron ore and precious minerals such as diamond and platinum.
Anglo American plc (OTCMKTS:AAUKF)’s Minas Rio mine in Brazil is its largest mine which produced 23.47 million tons of the mineral in 2021. This accounted for more than one third of the firm’s total output, which had stood at 64 million tons. This also marked a small 3% annual growth. Anglo American plc (OTCMKTS:AAUKF)’s subsidiary, Kumba Iron, operates the Sishen mine in South Africa which produced 28.6 million tons last year.
Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is Anglo American plc (OTCMKTS:AAUKF)’s largest investor through an $11.8 million stake that comes through 665,491 shares.
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4. Fortescue Metals Group Limited (OTCMKTS:FSUGY)
Total iron ore produced as of December 2021: 185 million tonnes
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (OTCMKTS:FSUGY) is an Australian iron ore miner that is headquartered in East Perth. The firm has mining facilities in its home country and all over the globe and it also mines gold and copper.
Fortescue Metals Group Limited (OTCMKTS:FSUGY) produced 185 million tonnes of iron ore in 2021, and its Fortescue operations in Australia, which cover four different mines, accounted for 183 million tonnes of the output. More recently, the firm also had a bumper September quarter, when it reported that it shipped 47.5 million tonnes to mark a 2 million tonne annual growth.
3. BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP)
Total iron ore produced as of December 2021: 254 million tonnes
BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) is one of the oldest natural resources companies in the world. The firm was set up in 1851 and it is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.
BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP) operates several of the world’s largest iron ore mines. Its Area C and Yandi properties in Australia produced 148 million tonnes of the mineral in 2021. Cumulatively, the firm produced 254 million tonnes of iron in the calendar year 2021, while its fiscal year 2022 production was 282 million tonnes.
BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP)’s largest investor is Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management which owns 18 million shares that are worth $1 billion.
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2. Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE)
Total iron ore produced as of December 2021: 316 million tonnes
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets. The company is headquartered in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE)’s Sistema Norte mine in Brazil is the second largest mine in the world, and it produced 185 million tonnes in 2021. For the full year 2021, the firm produced 316 million tonnes of iron ore, which met the low end of its target range of 315 – 335 million tonnes. Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE) also aims to produce between 320 to 335 million tonnes of iron ore this year.
Vale S.A. (NYSE:VALE)’s largest investor is Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management which owns 22 million shares that are worth $324 million.
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1. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)
Total iron ore produced as of December 2021: 322 million tonnes
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is a British mining company set up in 1873 and headquartered in London. The firm operates mines, mills, smelters, and power stations.
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) operates in 35 countries all over the world and the bulk of its assets are located in Australia and North America. The firm owns the world’s largest iron ore mine in Australia, which produced 207 million tons in 2021. Overall Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) produced 322 million tonnes of iron ore in 2021, alongside 10 million tonnes of iron ore pellets. It also aims to produce between 320 and 335 million tonnes of iron ore this year.
Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO)’s largest investor is Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management which owns 14.8 million shares that are worth $905 million.
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Disclosure: None. You can also take a look at Steven Boyd and Armistice Capital’s Top Stock Picks and 10 Best Safe Dividend Stocks for Retirement Portfolios.
