The Chinese manganese ore market has generally been characterized by slack trading activity in the past week, while prices at the ports have remained unchanged. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 44 percent Mn content currently stand at $6.32/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of South African origin lump ore of 44 percent Mn content are at $6.32/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 38 percent grade Mn ore from Australia are in the range of $6.00/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $5.92-$6.00/dmtu.
The manganese ore market in China has mostly remained stable during the past week. However, manganese alloy producers have reduced their purchase prices as their profit margins are under pressure, while they are not so inclined to conclude purchases at the present time. Many manganese alloy producers and steel mills are choosing to cut or halt their production, and this will result in reduced support for the manganese ore market. In this context, manganese ore traders are facing a lack of demand. Meanwhile, with the support of steady quotations from overseas miners, no large downward price movement is anticipated in the Chinese manganese ore market in the coming period.