The Chinese manganese ore market has maintained its stable trend during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 44 percent Mn content currently stand at $6.57/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of South African origin lump ore of 44 percent Mn content are at $6.40/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 38 percent grade Mn ore from Australia are in the range of $6.40/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $6.24/dmtu.
While manganese ore prices at China ports have been stable during the past week, the supply side is still characterized by tightness. As regards manganese alloys, northern producers have been increasing their production volumes. Rises in purchase prices of manganese alloys have contributed to the increases in manganese alloy production volumes, which results in greater demand for manganese ore. It is believed that manganese ore prices in China will remain firm in the coming period as no change in the tight supply situation is expected to be seen.