The Chinese domestic manganese ore market has seen some slight decreases in prices of certain ores during the past week, while other prices have remained stable. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $5.12/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $5.45/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $4.89/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $4.72/dmtu.
After the manganese ore quotations of overseas miners decreased, domestic manganese ore prices in China have continued to see some slight decreases. At the same time, overall trading activity in the domestic market has remained sluggish. Most traders have been maintaining a wait-and-see stance and they think that purchasing activity may improve after the Spring Festival holiday (Feb. 18-24). Manganese alloy producers have mostly suspended their operations and so demand for ore is very weak. The anticipated improvement in activity after the holiday is expected to provide support for the stability of domestic manganese ore prices.