Manganese Ore News From China

China’s Stock of Imported Mn Ore Keeps High in Ports

Oct 13, 2010. Though purchase price of manganese alloys increased again by mills, there are little changes in the market prices, and imported manganese ore market also keeps dull. Some traders even began to suspect that the future offering price of manganese ore might be decreasing, which would bring more difficulties for Chinese ore importers and sellers. Up to now, there is no confirmed information about whether the future offering price by foreign ore suppliers would increase or decrease the prices.

Nevertheless, latest statistic of the stocks of manganese ore in Chinese major ports proved to be unsatisfying. Total stocks maintain at around 2.7-2.8 million mt, with 130,000 mt in Lianyungang, 330,000 mt in Zhanjiang port, 0.7 million mt in Qinzhou port, 1.38 million mt in Tianjin port and 200,000-250,000 mt in Fangchenggang and Beihai port.

Manganese Ore Produced in China Keeps Firm

Sep 29, 2010. At present, Mn29-30Fe12-15 oxide manganese ore is quoted at RMB1,200-1,300/mt (USD179-194 without export tariff, price below the same as above) in Liaoyang district of Liaoning; RMB1,100-1,150/mt (USD164-172/mt) for Mn27-28; RMB950-1,000/mt (USD142-149/mt) for Mn25; RMB850/mt for Mn20, and RMB750/mt (USD112/mt) for Mn18.

In Shanxi Lingqiu area, Mn30Fe5-7 oxide manganese ore is quoted at 1,050-1,100/mt (tax not include); RMB850-900/mt for Mn28, RMB550-560/mt (USD82-84/mt) for Mn18-22 and RMB450-500/mt (USD67-75) for Mn 15-17.

According to one miner in Liaoning Liaoyang area, at present, Mn27-28 Fe12-13 is quoted at RMB1,100-1,150/mt in the plant with more than 10 thousand mt stocks. Slim Demand makes worse transaction recently. However, he would not lower quotation as long as the cost stays high.

Poor Demand Troubles Chinese Mn Ore Market

Sep 17, 2010. Because of the uncertainty to the manganese alloys production in the future, as well as high stocks of imported ores in ports, manganese ore market keeps slow and weak performance recently. Some traders even try to adjust down quotations for imported ores to stimulate the demand.

At present, in Guangxi, Mn30%Fe10% oxide ore is quoted RMB900/mt, and Mn22%Fe12% is quoted RMB420/mt. In Yongzhou of Hunan, Mn25%Fe18% is quoted RMB600/mt. In Liaoning, Mn20%Fe9-13% is quoted RMB900-1,000/mt. Manganese carbonate fines 17% is around RMB900/mt in Chongqing, while 16% fines are around RMB750/mt and RMB600/mt in Guizhou and Guangxi respectively. Quotations of imported ores generally kept unchanged, as in Qinzhou port, Australian 44% lumps are around RMB57.5-58/mtu, and Mn38%Fe5% lumps are RMB53/mtu. South African Mn45%Fe10% is quoted RMB56/mtu. In Zhanjiang port, Brazilian 44-45% is quoted RMB55/mtu, while Gabonese 45% is quoted RMB56/mtu.

BHP Mn Ore Price Unchanged to China in Oct

Sep 08, 2010. According to major importers of manganese ore in China, BHP Biliton did not change their quotations for the next month. Australian 43% sands are quoted USD6.4/mtu CIF China, while USD7.2/mtu CIF China for Australian 44% lumps, which are all equal to the current level.

Quoted price for imported manganese ore spots appear to be in disorder in Chinese ports, and insiders hold different views for the future market. Some traders look optimistically that tight supply would continue to put up manganese alloys prices, and they expect manganese ore price would climb up soon. Meanwhile, other traders worried that as more and more mills and plants suspend production, manganese ore transaction might be weakening even though the price could increase a bit.

Imported manganese ore market keeps weak in China

Aug 20, 2010. The demand for imported manganese ore is still weak at present, but prices keep stable. As for the market trend, participants still have little confidence.

With a trading volume of 10,000tpm of imported manganese ore, a trader in Guangdong has 4,000-5,000t of the material in stock, and offered Brazilian lumps 45% with low iron at RMB54/dmtu (USD6.8/dmtu) ex Zhanjiang port on Thursday, the same as that last week.

“The demand remains weak at present and we have not concluded any deals so far this month,” said the source.“Since the price has reached the bottom, we will not reduce offers in the short term.”

Another trader in Guangdong, who usually distributes 5,000t of imported manganese ore per month, stopped making offers early this month and holds about several thousands of tons of Indonesian lumps in stock now.

“The market is very sluggish at present and we want to watch the market for a while,“ said the source.

Imported manganese ore market still slow in China

Aug 18, 2010. The spot market of imported ore remains slow at present with traders selling very few materials to the end-users. In view of the low demand, participants are not confident of the market trend.

A Tianjin-based trader, who usually distributes 10,000t of imported manganese ore every month, holds about 8,000t of the material in hand and offers Australian lump 32%, Fe 23% at RMB45/dmtu (USD5.7/dmtu) ex Tianjin port at present, but no deal was reached.

“To be honest, we received more inquiries from buyers in the past week, but few were concluded,” said the source. “In view of the weak demand, I don’t think manganese ore prices will rebound in the short term.

With a trading volume of 5,000tpm of imported manganese ore, a trader in Guangdong admitted the currently depressed market and does not make offers at present.The trader has about 6,000t of the material in stock now and has not concluded any deals so far this month.

“In view of the high stocks in ports and low operating rate of manganese alloy smelters, we think the market trend is gloomy,” said the source, adding that there are still about 2.7 million tons of imported manganese ore in ports.

Malaysian manganese ore market quiet

Aug 18, 2010. As the demand for manganese ore stays weak from China and other Asian countries, the Malaysian manganese ore market keeps quiet, and the mainstream prices for manganese ore 35% are at USD150-160/t CIF China presently.

A Malaysian miner who reduces their output of manganese ore 35%, Fe 12% to the lowest level at 1,000t/m disclosed that their offers stayed at USD150-160/t CIF China on Tuesday, the same as early last week, while no buyer came for the material. The source learnt that some spot deals were even concluded at USD140/t CIF China in view of slow demand.

“The demand from China kept slow in Q3, so we only operate at the lowest capacity to prevent capital tied-up,” said the source.“As the market trends in unclear, we will watch the market.”

A Malaysian trader who used to deal with 2,000t of manganese ore 35% per month revealed that they offered the material for UD150-160/t CIF China on Tuesday, which had stabilized for three weeks, but no order was received in the last two weeks. The source expressed that they only stock limited stocks presently to reduce risk to the minimum level and as they have regular suppliers, they can distribute the material when they receive the orders.

“Some traders, who stocked many materials before, now have to lower their quotations to sell as they are facing financial problems,” said the source.

Thin trading in Chinese manganese ore market

Aug 13, 2010. The overall manganese ore market has no change compared to last week, and the price stays stable with thin trading.

A Guangxi-based silicomanganese smelter, who usually consumes 3,000t of imported manganese ore per month, bought 1,000t of Malaysian lumps 35% at RMB39.5/dmtu (USD5.0/dmtu) ex Qinzhou port this week, and the price was the same as that last week.

“Since we have few stocks to support production, we purchased a few manganese ore. In my opinion, I don’t think the price of manganese ore will drop further at the present level as the current price has nearly reached the bottom,” said the source.

With a trading volume of 5,000tpm of imported manganese ore, a trader in Guangxi offers Malaysian lumps 35% at RMB39-40/dmtu (USD4.9-5.0/dmtu) ex Qinzhou port, unchanged from last week, but only a few deals were reached.

“Since some silicomanganese smelters run out of their stocks of manganese ore, they begin to make replacement. However, they just buy the material from hand-to-mouth due to the depressed silicomanganese market,” said the source.

Indonesian traders hold manganese ore offers firm

Aug 12, 2010. As some buyers begin to return to the market and replenish stocks presently, the demand for manganese ore has a slight improvement in Indonesia. The manganese ore supply is decreasing in Indonesia due to the heavy rain and other factors, so the traders just hold their offers firm presently.

An Indonesian trader who moves 2,000t of manganese ore 40% per month told us that their offer stayed firm at USD270/t CIF China on Wednesday, no change compared to last week, and they totally sold 500t of the material to Chinese buyers throughout last week. The source expressed that the demand from China saw a little improvement this month, and expected the market can recover gradually.

“We received more enquires in recent days, and made some deals as well. It seems that the demand is slightly picking up. However, due to the heavy rain and licence problem, the supply of manganese ore is decreasing, so we will keep our offers firm for the moment,” said the source.

Another Indonesian trader who signed long term contract with Indian buyers early this month revealed that they can offer the manganese ore 40% to Chinese buyers at USD260/t CIF China at least, the same as last week. The source commented that they are optimistic about the future market.

“Although the demand from China and India is slow presently, they still import large quantities of manganese ore every year. In view of supply decrease, we will not lower our offers presently,” said the source.