SHANGHAI, Aug 28 (SMM) – China's imports of cobalt raw materials, including ore and intermediate products, came in at 7,600 mt in July, up 4% from June and 33% from July 2018, showed the latest customs data. 

Imports in the first seven months of this year amounted to 43,600 mt, flat from a year ago. 

In January-July, imports of cobalt ore shrank 54% year on year with an increase of 12% in unwrought cobalt intermediate materials produced through hydrometallurgical processes. 

Cobalt ore imports in July stood at 597 mt in Co content, based on a Co grade of 8%, up 136% on the month but down 29% on the year.

Imports of unwrought cobalt intermediate that was produced through hydrometallurgical processes decreased 2% on the month but gained 44% on the year to stand at 6,948 mt in Co content, based on a grade of 27%. 

Import prices of hydrometallurgical cobalt intermediate products averaged $20,952/mt in Co content in July, up an average 8% on the month but down 71% on the year.