位于悉尼的矿业经济咨询机构AME,最近预测世界铁矿石产量将从1999年的年产10.3亿t增至2005年的11.53亿t,铁矿石的价格将增长5%。AME在研究报告中指出,在未来5年内尽管铁矿石的名义价格会略微上升,但实际价格仍持续下将。该报告认为铁矿石的价格是由供求关系、生产成本和日本钢 AME, a Sydney-based mining economy consultancy, recently forecast that the world’s iron ore production will increase from 1.03 billion tonnes per annum in 1999 to 1.153 billion tonnes in 2005 and that iron ore prices will rise 5%. AME pointed out in the research report that although the nominal price of iron ore will rise slightly in the next 5 years, the actual price will continue to decline. The report argues that the price of iron ore is determined by supply and demand, production costs and Japanese steel