As of Feb. 9, the price of primary iron ore contracts had risen by 14.85 percent this year, according to China Securities Journal.

Coal still plays an important role in the country's energy supply and should not be denied completely, he added.

Coal producers also should step up efforts to ensure coal supplies, the meeting said.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ Slowing Demand Adds to Steel Industry Woes

Giant miners to see record profits slip as cost pressures bite

Rising coal prices in China are likely to ease gradually after the winter heating season concludes.

Indonesia is seeking 8.58 billion U.S. dollars in investment to shut down a number of coal-fired power plants as the country is currently expediting the transition into green energy.

BEIJING -- China aims to reduce the generation intensity of industrial solid waste in steel, nonferrous metals, and chemical sectors by 2025, and meanwhile significantly improve the utilization of bulk solid waste.