OREANDA-NEWS. April 17, 2014. General Steel Holdings, Inc. ("General Steel" or the "Company") (NYSE: GSI), a leading non-state-owned steel producer in China, announced that its principal manufacturing facility, Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. ("Longmen Joint Venture"), has signed a supply agreement with Rio Tinto Iron Ore Asia Pte. Ltd. ("Rio Tinto") for procurement of imported iron ore in 2014.

Under this agreement, Rio Tinto will directly provide Longmen Joint Venture at least 1.5 million metric tons of imported iron ore at a favorable price based on the average monthly iron ore index upon delivery.

"We are thrilled to sign our first direct supply agreement with Rio Tinto," said Henry Yu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Steel. "The ability to directly procure from one of the world's largest supplier will significantly lower our sourcing costs and ensure timely delivery of the highest quality imported iron ore. We believe the large guaranteed supply coupled with pre-determined favorable pricing terms provides us with more operational flexibility and greater cost advantages. Importantly, our commitment to the large purchase volume demonstrates confidence in our leading position in Western China and optimism of a turnaround in our core marketplace and return to revenue growth in 2014."