The manganese ore market in China is still characterized by slack activity. The trading volume is still low, though prices have risen slightly. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 44 percent Mn content currently stand at $6.34-6.50/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of South African origin lump ore of 44 percent Mn content are at $6.50-6.67/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 38 percent grade Mn ore from Australia are in the range of $5.71-5.87/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $5.87-6.02/dmtu.
The spot market prices of manganese ore at Chinese ports have seen a slight rise. However, downstream silicon manganese alloy prices have continued to decrease, while market demand for manganese ore has not improved. Traders state that the volume of inquiries is not so great after the holiday period. Most downstream buyers are maintaining a wait-and-see stance and some are pessimistic on the prospects for the future manganese ore market trend and so are only purchasing limited volumes. Currently, manganese ore inventory at Chinese ports is at high levels.