Chinese iron-ore futures and global benchmark prices rose on Monday after market reports said several Chinese steel mills had been told by local authorities to temporarily halt output later this month for environmental inspections, triggering restocking ahead of expected supply tightening. The most-traded September contract on Dalian rose 0.82% to 796.5 yuan/tonne ($110.9/tonne) as mills sought to build inventories; port stocks and tight domestic supply dynamics were cited as supportive. Traders said healthy steel margins in China—where hot-rolled coil and long-product spreads remain positive—encourage mills to buy ore ahead of any enforced stoppages. Analysts noted the rally was capped by expectations that any production curbs will be temporary and by continued high seaborne supply from Australia and Brazil. Market participants also flagged a tilt toward higher-grade (>65% Fe) ore, which commands premiums as mills prioritise quality for efficiency and decarbonisation targets. Short-term price moves were also influenced by broader commodity flows and shipping constraints, but the consensus among traders was that restocking ahead of regulatory-driven mill suspensions was the main near-term driver of upward pressure on iron-ore prices.