The Chinese manganese ore market has generally moved on a slight upward trend during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 44 percent Mn content currently stand at $6.34/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of South African origin lump ore of 44 percent Mn content are at $6.26/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 38 percent grade Mn ore from Australia are in the range of $6.19/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $6.03/dmtu.
Manganese ore prices at Chinese ports have moved on an upward trend during the past week, though the increase margin has been limited. Overall supply has been on the tight side, while demand has been stable, with manganese inventory levels at the ports decreasing slightly. Traders are still cautious and are waiting for further developments before deciding their next move. Power charges in southern China have increased and this has caused manganese alloy production volumes to decrease, thereby leading to reduced demand for manganese ore. Observers expect that next week's trend for manganese ore prices in China will be mostly stable but with some upticks.