ASX mining shares were the market leaders last quarter with several names taking out top spots in the race for shareholder returns.
The S&P/ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index (ASX: XMM) started at 5,539 and lunged to 6,352. As such, it earned a net change of 813 points or 14.7% for the quarter.
It has pared gains but still remains aloft the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), shown below.
Top performing ASX mining shares
It was a constructive period for the ASX mining sector in more ways than one. There were 36 names that came out strong, whereas 18 were down, according to Bloomberg data. One name remained unchanged.
There were also eight new additions to the index, whereas two names were removed.
During the quarter Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) was one top performer of the ASX mining shares basket with a 25.94% change for the quarter.
A number of catalysts, stemming from roaring commodity markets and extending to company-specific updates, saw the Rio Tinto share price jump north for the period.
On a similar note, mining giant BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)'s share price jumped up by 30.31%, whilst Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) climbed by 37.76%.
However, it was Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) that came out on top, with a 72.53% gain for the quarter, followed by Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) which grew circa 46%.
The results of the top 10 gainers in the ASX metals and mining shares index from last quarter are tabled below.
| Ticker | Name | Quartely gain (%) |
| CRN | Coronado Global Resources Inc | 72.53 |
| CIA | Champion Iron Ltd | 45.90 |
| SGM | Sims Ltd | 37.76 |
| AVZ | AVZ Minerals Ltd | 34.97 |
| BHP | BHP Group Ltd | 30.31 |
| PLL | Piedmont Lithium Inc | 29.25 |
| LKE | Lake Resources NL | 28.71 |
| S32 | South32 Ltd | 28.28 |
| RIO | Rio Tinto Ltd | 25.94 |
