Market activity was focused on downstream silico-manganese and ferro-manganese products in China last week after steel mills put out tenders at higher prices in anticipation of higher-priced trades in the weeks ahead.
Semi-carbonate manganese ore cif Tianjin prices unmoved 44% manganese ore cif Tianjin ticks upward Ferro-manganese Chinese free market surges European manganese alloys spot prices appear steady US high-carbon silico-manganese prices stable Both Chinese silico-manganese and ferro-manganese prices soared in the week ended Friday June 29, driven by high tender prices from the downstream steel sector. "Demand is still out there from steel mills," a market participant said. "As well, silico-manganese prices in Asia keep supporting the market." Silico-manganese prices continued their upward trend last week, supported by short supply caused by plant closures ordered for their non-compliance with environmental regulations. Metal Bulletin's price quotation for Chinese domestic silico-manganese soared by 400 yuan on the low end and rose 100 yuan on the high end to 8,200-8,400 yuan ($1,238-1,269) per tonne on Friday from 7,800-8,300 yuan per tonne a week earlier. "Major steel mills are putting out tenders for silico-manganese at 8,600...