The BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) share price endured a slight dip in September despite much hype over China's Belt and Road Initiative and a steady resurgence in the price of iron ore over the past year.
BHP shares closed on Thursday at $25.58, down 0.97% on the previous day's trade.
Although the iron ore miner saw its share price dip from $27.42 at the start of September, investors have benefited over the past year with the stock rising from $21.39 at the end of September 2016 to its price at Thursday's close, representing a yearly return of 18.98%.
The steady increase in BHP stock over the past year has matched the rising price of iron ore. But like the BHP share price, the price of iron ore has also dropped in September.
It's a similar story for other the major iron ore miner Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO).
And while the Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) share price has seen its stock price fall in September it has not enjoyed yearly gains to same extent.
As BHP touts China's Belt and Road Initiative (a massive infrastructure revival of the old the Silk Road worth more than $1.5 trillion) some analysts remain optimistic about the miner's future share price.
But China also seems to be getting more serious about cracking down on environmental polluters and some believe this will have implications for those in the iron ore business.
China, the world's biggest importer of iron ore, has announced measures to shut down a series of major projects in its attempt to combat pollution.
Morgan Stanley believes this will have a big impact on global commodity prices.
Adding to concerns about the future of iron ore prices, Goldman Sachs believes there is room for iron ore prices to fall further.
As China attempts to combat pollution while embarking on a massive infrastructure project it would seem the future for iron ore prices remains uncertain.
