SHANGHAI, Jun. 21 (SMM) –

Manganese Ore Market:
Prices of South African mixed carbonate manganese ore fell another RMB 0.5/mtu this week and prices of manganese ore from Australia, Malaysia also showed signs of dropping. Manganese ore prices may extend losses next week on tepid demand. 

Transactions:
In northern ports, sales volumes of manganese ore (lump) from Australia, Malaysia and Gabon were relatively higher. Inquiries of manganese ore (lump) from Zambia and Indonesia were more active. In southern ports, South African mixed carbonate manganese ore (lump) and high-Fe manganese ore from South Africa and Australia gained favor.  

Manganese Alloy Market:
Operating rates at silicomanganese alloy producers remained low as alloy producers were little interested in producing against losses. Silicomanganese alloy markets will hardly see any changes before the release of a new round of bid prices from steel mills. SMM survey found that some SMEs are planning to pull out of the market amid lackluster alloy prices.