Nippon Steel is actively seeking stakes in coking coal and iron ore mines to ensure the basic raw material supply is stable and reduce the potential impact of price volatility. Recently, Nippon participated in a big deal that was mainly managed by a Glencore-led. The deal includes the acquirement of Canadian miner Teck Resources' (TECKb.TO) steelmaking coal unit for US$9 billion, and Nippon will pay US$1.34 billion for a 20% stake.

Nippon has stakes in several coking coal mines, accounting for one-fifth of its yearly coal imports. After completing the last deal, the proportion has increased to 30%.