The China Iron and Steel Association said benchmark iron ore price negotiations between Chinese steel mills and global miners aren't expected to end this month, National Radio reported Monday.

"The negotiation this year definitely can't be finished by the end of June," the report said, quoting an unnamed association official.

Negotiations were widely considered to have June 30 as an informal deadline, because a large batch of 2008-09 benchmark iron ore contracts are set to expire on that date.

The National Radio report said the association was still firm on its position, referring to China's demand for a 40%-45% cut from last year's benchmark, which global miners have rejected.

-By Chuin-Wei Yap and Liu Li, Dow Jones Newswires; 8610 6588 5848; chuin-wei.yap@dowjones.com