According to Japan’s third largest steelmaker, Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd, BHP Billiton intends to have more than 10 percent rises in coking coal price for July-September quarter,.

The offer will be about US$225/ton as a 75 percent increase compared to one year ago. However, Sumitomo is still in talks with BHP Billiton.

Currently, Japanese largest steelmakers, Nippon Steel has increased the domestic steel price for July deliveries by ¥ 10,000/ton, up by about 10~15 percent due to the high cost of raw materials.