Exports of niobium ferroalloys by the Brazilian producers CBMM and by Mineracao Catalao, the local arm of Anglo American, reached 4,900 mt in August, 16 percent less than in July, according to the country’s ministry of development, industry and foreign trade MDIC.
The average FOB export price was stable at $24,720/mt, with exports by CBMM at $24,771/mt and by Catalao at $24,550/mt.
It is estimated that today the combined production of CBMM and Catalao represent 80 percent of the world production, with CBMM mines located at Araxa, in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais and that from Anglo American in Catalao and Ouvidor, both located in the central-western state of Goias.
The main destinations of the product in August were Asia (2,200 mt, of which 1,000 mt to China), the EU (1,800 mt), the US (483 mt), Canada (149 mt) and Africa (120 mt).
A source from a major slab producer in Brazil told SteelOrbis that the last acquisition of ferroniobium from CBMM was closed at $23,170/mt, CFR, no taxes included.
The source added that so far in the year the average price paid for the product is BRL53,010/mt ($22,346/mt).