These ASX 200 mining shares are digging a deeper hole on Friday

BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue are dragging on their sector today.

| More on:
worker with head down at oil drilling site

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The biggest ASX mining shares are weighing on the materials sector on Friday, falling by as much as 2.3%
  • Their tumble follows similar falls among metals prices overnight, which saw copper record its biggest quarterly decline since 2011 
  • The price of iron ore also continued its downwards trend overnight, slipping another 0.1% to trade at US$130 a tonne

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining shares are dragging on the market on Friday, adding to their longer-term poor performance.

The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) is currently the market's second-worst performing sector behind the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ), slumping 1.14%. It's also fallen around 13% over the last month.

Among today's biggest weights are resources giants BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG), and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO). They're down around 2.3%, 1.7%, and 1.6% respectively.

For context, the ASX 200 is trading 0.3% higher right now.

Let's take a closer look at what might be dragging down ASX 200 mining giants on Friday.

What's weighing on these ASX 200 mining shares?

ASX 200 mining shares are struggling on Friday after commodity prices dived overnight, marking an abysmal quarterly performance.

The value of zinc led the downturn, falling 6.2% in Thursday's session overseas while that of nickel slumped 4.7% to US$22643.00 per tonne. Copper prices also fell 1.7% to US$8254.25 a tonne.

Those movements included, metal prices tumbled between 20% and 40% in the June quarter, according to CommSec. That led copper to record its worst quarterly performance since 2011.  

Iron ore futures also continued its multi-session slump, falling 0.1% to reach US$130 per tonne.

Though, it's not all bad news out of the sector this morning.

The Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) share price is launching 10.2% higher amid reports Fortescue Metals' Andrew Forrest was aiming to buy an additional 15% hold in the company.

However, Forrest has since abandoned any such plans after failing to snap up the stake for $168 million, reports The Australian.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Materials Shares

A man scoots in superman pose across a bride, excited about a future with electric vehicles.
Materials Shares

PLS? Why did Pilbara Minerals shares just change name?

Pilbara has rebranded itself...

Read more »

A young male ASX investor raises his clenched fists in excitement because of rising ASX share prices today
Materials Shares

Why are Liontown shares rising today and up 18% this week?

This lithium miner's shares have been in demand with investors this week.

Read more »

Workers at a steel making factory
Materials Shares

Can this ASX 200 stock keep its end of year rally going?

Brokers are upbeat and see gains in 2026.

Read more »

A mining worker wearing a white hardhat and a high vis vest stands on a platform overlooking a huge mine, thinking about what comes next.
Resources Shares

ASX 200 mining shares outperform as iron ore and copper prices strengthen

BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto shares reached new 52-week highs while the ASX 200 edged up 0.24%.

Read more »

A statuesque woman throws earth in the air in front of a rocky outcrop.
Materials Shares

Lithium price rebounds 25% in 2025: Which ASX lithium shares are a buy?

We reveal the latest broker ratings and 12-month share price targets on 3 popular ASX lithium shares.

Read more »

Focused man entrepreneur with glasses working, looking at laptop screen thinking about something intently while sitting in the office.
Materials Shares

'Stronger, sharper, and simpler': Rio Tinto shares fall despite major update

Let's see what this mining giant has released a strategy update.

Read more »

A little boy holds up a barbell with big silver weights at each end.
Materials Shares

$3,000 invested in this ASX silver share in July is now worth $6,577

That's a mighty impressive return in just a few months!

Read more »

Three miners looking at a tablet.
Materials Shares

How much upside does Macquarie tip for Rio Tinto shares?

Let's see what the broker thinks of this mining giant.

Read more »