Lackluster demand in Chinese manganese ore market

The Chinese domestic manganese ore market has moved on a stable trend during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $3.20/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $3.28/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $2.97/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $2.81/dmtu.
 
The previous downward trend of the Chinese manganese ore market has been replaced by sideways movement during the past seven days. Overall trading activity has remained weak, while the soft trend in the downstream manganese alloy market has contributed to the slack demand for manganese ore. It is thought that Australian miner BHP Billiton may reduce its manganese ore quotations for December shipment. However, according to market reports, foreign mills may reduce their output volumes of manganese ore, which would provide support for manganese ore prices in China. As for the coming week, it is believed that, since there seems to be little further room for downward movement, domestic manganese ore prices may continue their stable trend .