Record rainfall threatens disruption of manganese production in Guizhou

SHANGHAI, Jul 8 (SMM) – Manganese production in Songtao of Guizhou province, one of China’s major production areas of manganese, faces potential impact of power outage, after the heaviest rain in decades caused a landslide that have crushed houses and trapped 6 people, with 7 people still missing, according to the government of Songtao on July 8. 

The torrential rain has not caused a significant impact on operation at manganese plants in Songtao, but the road transport has been disrupted after the landslide.

Market participants said the accumulated rainfall in south China for this time of year surpassed that of the previous year, and they were concerned that rain-induced power failure to drive local manganese plants to output cut or suspension. 

SMM assessed prices of electrolytic manganese in Guizhou at 9,800-10,000 yuan/mt as of July 8, down 100 yuan/mt from a week ago and down 850 yuan/mt from late-May when prices started to weaken.