What is the dividend outlook for ASX 200 mining shares?

Some experts say the recently improved iron ore price will help keep dividends strong.

Man in yellow hard hat looks through binoculars as man in white hard hat stands behind him and points.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Analysts say ASX 200 mining shares may pay better dividends than previously expected in 2025 given the strengthened iron ore price this month.

The iron ore CNY price rose by about 7% over the past two weeks to $US110.30 per tonne on Friday.

The 62% iron ore price also lifted by 3.7% to US$101.40 per tonne on Friday.

Trade data from China buoyed the commodity. The data indicated that existing stimulus measures were already working to raise steel demand.

Trading Economics analysts said iron ore prices were generally still volatile as the world waits to see if US President Donald Trump will implement a 60% tariff on Chinese goods.

The analysts said:

Despite these concerns, investors remain optimistic that China will fulfill its promises of additional stimulus, with state media reporting that the People's Bank of China may cut the reserve requirement ratio for banks later this month.

On a positive note, recent data showed that China's annual imports of iron ore reached a record high of 1.24 billion tons last year.

Additionally, the country's steel shipments hit their highest level since 2015, totaling 110.7 million tons.

What do the brokers think?

Dr Peter Gardner from Plato Asset Management is expecting a "decent dividend" from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares this year.

As reported in the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Dr Gardner said:

[Fortescue] look like they're reducing their investments for Fortescue Future Industries, which is the clean energy part of their business. That should be positive for the dividends going forward.

Aaron Binsted, portfolio manager of Lazard's Australian equity income fund, is hoping for "better mining dividends" if the iron ore price remains above $US100 per tonne.

Binsted said he was confident the mining giants would pay decent dividends even with "a bit more pressure" on the commodity's value.

How much will the ASX 200 mining shares pay in dividends?

Let's take a look at the 2025 dividend forecasts for the major ASX 200 mining shares.

These predictions reflect consensus expectations among analysts on the CommSec trading platform.

We also compare these forecasts to the trailing dividend yields. These are the 2024 dividends paid by the miners expressed as a percentage of their share prices today.

For the purposes of this article, we are focusing on ASX 200 large-cap mining shares.

ASX 200 mining share2024 dividendTrailing yieldForecast 2025

dividend
Forecast yield
Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)$2.00510.7% $1.1286%
Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) $6.365.4% $5.4894.7%
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) 2.2045.6% $1.7264.4%
South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) 5.3 cents1.5% 5.6 cents1.6%
Northern Star Resources Ltd

(ASX: NST)
40 cents2.3% 47.5 cents2.8%
Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)7 cents1.3% 11.2 cents2%
Source: CommSec. Dividend yields calculated by the author based on share prices before the close on Friday

Commodity values create divergent dividend forecasts

As you can see, the forecast dividend yields for the big ASX iron ore shares are lower than last year.

They're also low by historical standards.

Volatile iron ore prices are a key reason for this. For example, the 62% iron ore price fell by more than 20% last year as investors anticipated lower demand from China.

Latest government data and forecasts for iron ore export earnings show an anticipated decline.

Earnings expectations are $108 billion in 2024–25 and $96 billion in 2025–26, down from $138 billion in 2023–24.

It's a different story for the ASX gold miners. A very strong gold price is keeping the earnings outlook bright.

The Federal Department of Resources expects record gold export earnings of $34 billion in 2024–25, up 4.7% on 2023–24.

It forecasts a slight increase in export earnings to a new record of $35 billion in 2025–26.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group and South32. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Resources Shares

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

BHP shares are up 9% in a month. Are they still good value?

Is Australia’s largest miner a big opportunity?

Read more »

Three miners wearing hard hats and high vis vests take a break on site at a mine as the Fortescue share price drops in FY22
Resources Shares

Did you catch what happened with the big 3 ASX 200 mining stocks in April?

BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue all reported their latest mining results in April.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

After its earnings result, what's Macquarie's price target on Fortescue shares?

Let’s dig into what Macquarie thinks of Fortescue after its quarterly update.

Read more »

Two mining workers on a laptop at a mine site.
Resources Shares

The Mineral Resources share price is down 72% in a year. Time to pounce?

Two top experts ran their slide rules over Mineral Resources shares. Here’s what they found.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Mineral Resources share price shoots 15% higher on third-quarter report

The ASX 200 iron ore and lithium giant has released its 3Q FY25 activities report.

Read more »

Image from either construction, mining or the oil industry of a friendly worker.
Resources Shares

Why Macquarie says this ASX 200 mining stock could rocket 67% in a year

Macquarie forecasts a big potential rebound for this diversified ASX 200 miner.

Read more »

Female miner smiling at a mine site.
Resources Shares

3 reasons why the Fortescue share price could still be a buy

Here’s why I view Fortescue as an opportunity.

Read more »

A man wearing a hard hat and high visibility vest looks out over a vast plain where heavy mining equipment can be seen in the background.
Resources Shares

Here's the latest earnings forecast out to 2029 for Rio Tinto shares

Let’s unearth what this mining giant is predicted to achieve.

Read more »