** Australian miners .AXMM fall as much as 1.4% to 5299.9, dropping most since February 28

** Mining major Fortescue FMG.AX drops as much as 4% to A$16.05, its lowest level since September 11, 2024

** Larger iron ore giants BHP BHP.AX and Rio Tinto RIO.AX drop 1% and 1.3% respectively

** Underlying iron ore prices took a hit, with Chinese iron ore futures DCIOcv1 on the Dalian Commodity Exchange falling 1.7% after shedding 2.8% on Monday on tensions surrounding U.S. tariffs IRONORE/

** Sub-index, however, is up 1.4% this year

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))