BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are grabbing plenty of attention today.
Both on the ASX and in the media.
As for the ASX, more than $133 million worth of BHP shares have already changed hands on Monday in early afternoon trade.
And with the iron ore price up 1.2% over the weekend to US$106.60 per tonne, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giant are up 0.5% at the time of writing, swapping hands for $39.84 apiece.
That sees BHP outpacing the ASX 200, with the benchmark index up 0.4% at this same time.
Now, here's why the big Aussie miner is grabbing media headlines.
Image source: Getty Images
BHP shares in the media
Over the weekend, Bloomberg reported on some potential price negotiating headwinds looming for BHP, as well as other top iron ore miners like rival Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO).
Citing people familiar with the matter who wished to remain anonymous, Bloomberg said that China Mineral Resources Group (CMRG) has pressured Chinese steel mills to pause their purchases of the miner's Jimblebar blend fines commencing this week.
CMRG was created three years ago with the intent to give China, the world's top iron ore importer, more bargaining power over pricing.
The unnamed sources said that the China Iron & Steel Association (CISA) also recommended that Chinese mills suspend buying Jimblebar blend fines. BHP shares could come under pressure if China is successful in bringing down global iron ore prices.
BHP's Jimblebar mine, located in Western Australia, was reported to supply ores with around 60% iron content used in Chinese sintering blends.
BHP said it could not offer any comment on its commercial arrangements, while neither CMRG nor CISA responded to a request for comment.
Is the ASX 200 miner eyeing asset sales?
BHP shares are also attracting attention after the The Australian Financial Review reported on Sunday that the miner may be looking at divesting some of its infrastructure assets.
The assets could include the miner's ports, railway lines, and desalination plants in Australia and internationally.
The AFR's Street Talk said that Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), owned by BlackRock, has been in discussions with BHP to potentially acquire some of those assets.
According to the article, those include Queensland's Hay Point Coal Terminal and Western Australia's 426-kilometre Mount Newman Railway. GIP was also reported to be interested in BHP's copper mines, Escondida and Spence, both located in Chile, as well as its desalination plants.
Negotiations were said to be in the early stages and not confirmed to be currently active, with BHP declining to comment.
BHP shares are just about flat over the past 12 months, not including the miner's two dividend payouts.
