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

Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.
Materials Shares

Why is this ASX rare earths stock rocketing 36% today?

An announcement is getting investors very excited on Monday. What's going on?

Read more »

Man pressing smiley face emoji on digital touch screen next a neutral faced and sad faced emoji.
Materials Shares

All systems go for BlueScope Steel shares

Analysts think indicators will keep flashing green for 2026.

Read more »

A man sees some good news on his phone and gives a little cheer.
Materials Shares

Forget Pilbara Minerals shares, this ASX lithium stock could be better

Let's see which lithium stock is being tipped as a buy.

Read more »

A woman is very excited about something she's just seen on her computer, clenching her fists and smiling broadly.
Materials Shares

Investors likely doubled their returns with these ASX 200 stocks in 2025

Were these market winners in your portfolio?

Read more »

A woman looks shocked as she drinks a coffee while reading the paper.
Materials Shares

Top broker just raised its price target on this ASX materials stock

Is this stock still a buy after Friday's big gain?

Read more »

Two young African mine workers wearing protective wear are discussing coal quality while on site at a coal mine.
Materials Shares

Macquarie tips more than 120% upside for this ASX mining stock

Is this stock worth a buy?

Read more »

A mine worker looks closely at a rock formation in a darkened cave with water on the ground, wearing a full protective suit and hard hat.
Materials Shares

This ASX small-cap mining stock is tipped to rocket 160% higher

The rare earths producer recently kicked off production.

Read more »

Factory worker wearing hardhat and uniform showing new metal products to the manager supervisor.
Materials Shares

Looking for 100% gains? These strategic minerals companies might be worth a look, Bell Potter says

Trade and geopolitical tensions spell good news for companies in the strategic minerals sector.

Read more »