The Chinese domestic manganese ore market has followed a stable trend during the past week. 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.
Chinese domestic manganese ore prices have moved on a sideways trend during the first week after the Chinese New Year holiday (Feb. 18-24). Australian miner BHP Billiton has adjusted its manganese ore quotations for March in a downward direction. Domestic manganese ore traders are still selling previously purchased stocks, and so this has contributed to the stability of domestic prices for the time being, though downstream buyers are maintaining a wait-and-see stance, with overall trading activity still at low levels. As for the coming week, it is thought that some slight decreases may be seen in Chinese domestic manganese ore prices.