SUBSCRIBER NOTE: Platts to publish iron ore alumina, silica differentials

Following industry feedback, Platts plans to publish from June 23, 2014, daily alumina and silica differentials used in the normalization process for its iron ore fines assessments. The differentials will be reflective of ores within the 60-63.5%-Fe range, in line with the current "per 1% Fe differential." They may also be used in the normalization of ores falling outside of this Fe range with adjustments as necessary. The differentials will be monitored and updated to reflect spot market values. The differentials will be for alumina and silica content applicable within specific ranges. The values used in normalization would be expressed in dollars per dry metric ton for every one percentage point of alumina and silica. The proposed ranges for alumina and silica are as follows: alumina 1-2.5% and silica 4.5-6.5% and silica 6.5-9%. Platts intends to monitor penalties and premiums for impurities outside these ranges and continue to publish information about those values on a case-by-case basis in market commentaries and news stories. Platts currently uses differentials in its normalization process and writes about them in the iron ore commentaries published in SBB Steel Market Daily and pages MW1107-09 of Platts Metals Alert. Platts is proposing to publish these values in the daily iron ore assessment table in SBB Steel Markets Daily on page 3 and on page MW1105 on PMA and to database the values, making them available in data products under the category SI. All comments and questions should be sent by June 6 , 2014, to iodex@platts.com and pricegroup@platts.com.