The world’s biggest miners had a tough start to the year, struggling to hit production goals and keep costs under control.

Iron ore production from Western Australia came in at 66.7 million tonnes in the three months to March 31.

Usiminas' iron ore sales fell 38% from the previous quarter and 17% year on year to 1.6 million tonnes.

The new effort will focus on eliminating a dike from its Barragem 5 dam at the Aguas Claras mine, located in the Minas Gerais city of Nova Lima.

The miner sold 53.6 million tonnes of iron ore in the quarter, down 9.6% year-on-year.

Rio has also had to contend with a delay in production from a new greenfields mine.

China will reduce crude steel output this year, after slashing production in 2021 in line with its goal to control carbon emissions.

Creditors may now present an alternative plan for the debt restructuring.