Weaker alloy prices, higher stocks lower prices of imported manganese ore at Tianjin port in May

SHANGHAI, May 29 (SMM) – Prices of imported manganese ore at Tianjin port declined in May, as the downstream alloy market weakened and as high inventories in the north dented bargaining power among traders.

SMM assessments showed that the average price of South African semi-carbonate Mn 38% ores at Tianjin port in May fell 5.69% from April, that of Australian Mn 46% ores slipped 6.21% and that of Gabonese Mn 44% materials dropped 6.87%.

As of the end of May, manganese ore at Tianjin port stood at 3.05 million mt, with an inflow of 1.63 million mt of seaborne cargoes. This was up 854,000 mt from the end of April. South African materials accounted for a majority of 46%, or 1.41 million mt.