Chinese domestic manganese ore prices have continued to soften slightly during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $6.62/dmtu (RMB 45.5/dmtu) at China’s Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $6.25/dmtu (RMB 43/dmtu). Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $6.04/dmtu (RMB 41.5/dmtu), while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $4.94/dmtu (RMB 34/dmtu). （$1 = RMB 6.876）
Overall trading activity for manganese ore in China has been sluggish in the past week, while. supply has declined a little. The downstream manganese alloy market has lately showed a weak trend, which exerts some pressure on manganese ore prices. Most traders are willing to offer certain discounts in order to close more deals. However, since the cost side is still strong, further decreases will be limited. As for the week ahead, it is believed that manganese ore prices may just indicate minor fluctuations.