Chinese domestic manganese ore prices have showed mostly softened slightly during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $9.98/dmtu (RMB 71/dmtu) at China’s Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $10.12/mtu (RMB 72/dmtu). Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $9.84/dmtu (RMB 70/dmtu), while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $7.52/dmtu (RMB 53.5/dmtu).
Overall trading activity in the domestic manganese ore market has slackened and is currently weak. Foreign manganese ore producers’ quoted prices have remained at high levels, continuing to provide support for manganese ore prices. Downstream manganese alloy prices have softened, contributing to slight decreases in manganese ore prices. As for the week ahead, considering that the support from the cost side is still strong though demand may remain weak, it is believed that manganese ore prices may just indicate minor fluctuations.
$1 = RMB 7.114