As of Friday this week, at northern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 40.2-40.7 yuan/mtu, up 1.25% WoW from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 33.9-34.4 yuan/mtu, unchanged WoW from last Friday; Gabonese ore was priced at 39-39.8 yuan/mtu, up 2.60% WoW from last Friday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 29.4-29.7 yuan/mtu, up 0.34% WoW from last Friday; South African medium-iron ore was priced at 34.2-34.7 yuan/mtu, up 1.47% WoW from last Friday. At southern ports: Australian lump ore was priced at 39.9-40.4 yuan/mtu, up 0.50% WoW from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate ore was priced at 34-34.5 yuan/mtu, unchanged WoW from last Friday; Gabonese ore was priced at 39.3-39.8 yuan/mtu, up 1.28% WoW from last Friday; South African high-iron ore was priced at 29.7-30.2 yuan/mtu, up 3.45% WoW from last Friday; South African medium-iron ore was priced at 34.6-35.1 yuan/mtu, up 1.75% WoW from last Friday. In the overseas market, South32's offer for South African semi-carbonate lump ore with a September 2025 shipment date to China was $4.05/mtu (up $0.15), and the offer for Australian lump ore was $4.45/mtu (up $0.1). Coupled with the recent positive market sentiment in the domestic manganese ore market, miners have maintained firm offers, with Australian lump ore, Gabonese lump ore, South African high-iron ore, and South African medium-iron ore all experiencing varying degrees of increases...

The immediate catalyst for the futures rally stems from supply concerns over mining license compliance issues in Jiangxi. Market sources indicate eight lithium mines in Jiangxi face rectification orders for environmental and licensing violations, with one major mine's license set to expire in early August under uncertain renewal prospects. Should renewal fail, this could force a temporary suspension, potentially cutting monthly supply by 10,000 LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent).

The mainstream transaction price of cobalt chloride is 63,000 yuan/mt