Traders push up prices in Chinese manganese ore market

The Chinese domestic manganese ore market has indicated a strong upward trend during the past week. The mainstream quotations of Australian lump ore with 46 percent Mn content currently stand at $5.08/dmtu at China's Tianjin port, while offers of lump ore of 48 percent Mn content are at $4.77/dmtu. Also at Tianjin port, quotations for 44 percent grade Mn ore from Gabon are at $4.77/dmtu, while offers of South African lump ore of 38 percent Mn content are at $4.45/dmtu.
 
Chinese domestic manganese ore prices have risen strongly during the past seven days, mainly caused by traders holding back from sales and raising their prices. At the same time, trading activity has been very slack. After the rises in prices, traders have started to sell small tonnages. Downstream manganese alloy prices have also indicated increases. As for the coming week, it is believed that domestic manganese ore prices may rise further.