The Chinese manganese ore market is still characterized by weak demand, while prices have remained stable over the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 44 percent Mn content currently stand at $6.25/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of South African origin lump ore of 44 percent Mn content are at $6.25/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 38 percent grade Mn ore from Australia are in the range of $6.00/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $5.92/dmtu.
Manganese ore purchase activity by alloy producers in China is becoming increasingly slow amid the sluggishness and weakness of the overall steel market. Domestic manganese ore traders are currently maintaining a wait-and-see stance. Meanwhile, it is thought the Australian miner BHP Billiton may reduce its quoted prices of manganese ore for October shipments. It is believed that the sluggish activity in the Chinese manganese ore market will continue in the coming week, though at the same time no significant price declines are expected to be seen.