China's imports of cobalt raw materials continue to rise with lower prices in Aug

SHANGHAI, Sep 29 (SMM) – China's imports of cobalt raw materials, including ore and intermediate products, came in at 9,000 mt in August, up 18.4% from July and 50% from August 2018, showed the latest customs data. 

Imports in the first eight months of this year amounted to 52,500 mt, up 7% from the same period a year ago. 

In January-August, imports of cobalt ore shrank 46% year on year with an increase of 17.5% in unwrought cobalt intermediate materials produced through hydrometallurgical processes. 

Cobalt ore imports in August stood at 1,119 mt in Co content, based on a Co grade of 8%, up 87% on the month and 8% on the year.

Imports of unwrought cobalt intermediate that was produced through hydrometallurgical processes expanded 10% on the month and 56% on the year to stand at 7,600 mt in Co content, based on a grade of 27%. 

Import prices of hydrometallurgical cobalt intermediate products averaged $19,707/mt in Co content in August, down an average 6% on the month and 66% on the year.