Chinese domestic manganese ore prices have resumed a stable trend during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $5.76/dmtu (RMB 40.5/dmtu) at China’s Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $5.19/dmtu (RMB 36.5/dmtu). Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $5.26/dmtu (RMB 37/dmtu), while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $4.48/dmtu (RMB 31.5 /dmtu). （$1 = RMB 7.033）
Overall trading activity in the domestic manganese ore market has improved since downstream manganese alloy production has increased due to reduced electricity charges in certain areas of China. Meanwhile, low-priced manganese ore has mostly been sold out and traders mainly have high-priced inventory in hand, which gives strong support to manganese ore market prices. Supply from overseas manganese ore producers is at a low level but may rise slightly during the coming week. As for the week ahead, it is believed that manganese ore prices may move sideways or rise slightly.