Slow activity in Chinese manganese ore market

The Chinese domestic manganese ore market has remained stable during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $5.53/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $5.69/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $5.37/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $4.80/dmtu.
 
Overall trading activity for manganese ore at Chinese ports is still at low levels. Influenced by the ongoing soft trend of manganese alloy prices, demand for manganese ore is unlikely to improve for now. Meanwhile, some traders are offering discounts on their prices as they are under pressure due to tightness of funds. Inventory levels of manganese ore at southern Chinese ports are on the high side. Overseas miners' quotations for manganese ore are not expected to decline for the time being. Overall, the domestic manganese ore market in China is expected to remain on a stable trend.