The Chinese domestic manganese ore market has remained stable during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $5.54/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $5.71/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $5.38/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $4.81/dmtu.
Demand for manganese ore in southern China has increased, especially demand for lump ore of South African origin, causing inventories of this ore to decline. Decreases in electricity supply charges and resulting increases in manganese alloy production have been the main factors contributing to this increase in demand for South African origin lump ore. However, inventory levels are still high for manganese ores of other origins. For the coming week, it is believed that certain manganese ore materials may see slight upticks in prices if demand continues to improve.