With rising Silico Manganese & Ferro Manganese prices in the last one month, coupled with low availability of Manganese ore has prompted Orissa Manganese & Minerals Limited (OMML) to raise their offer.

Private Manganese ore miner, Orissa Manganese & Minerals Limited (OMML), a subsidiary of Adhunik Metaliks has increased Manganese ore prices for 34+ grades by INR 500/MT w.e.f today (18th January,2014). OMML has an annual production of about 2 lakh tonnes and contributes 9% of the country’s overall Manganese ore production.

When questioned regarding the rise in prices, a senior official from OMML remarked, “Among the three sources, Manganese ore mainly procured by the Silico Manganese & Ferro Manganese producers in Eastern India (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha & Chattisgarh), ore from Odisha is still cost-effective and easily available, as compared to imported Ore & Balaghat Sector Ore (MOIL & Private miners).”

Imported Manganese Ore

International ManganWith improving Silico Manganese & Ferro Manganese prices in the last one month, coupled with low availability of Manganese ore has prompted Orissa Manganese & Minerals Limited (OMML) to raise their offer.ese ore prices to India have increased slightly compared to the last month shipments. Since, MOIL has increased their price between 3-7% across different grades for –Q4 (2013-14); imported Manganese ore has seen lot of activity in the domestic market. South African Semi-carbonated ore is being quoted at USD 4.70 /DMTU CIF India for February/March, 2014 shipments. In line with China, South African Semi-carbonated Manganese ore (Mn 36-37%) has gained much popularity among Indian Ferro Alloy producers of late specially with those who are making Silico Manganese 60/14 grade and this is the most imported grade to India at present. Manganese alloys prices have also been more or less stable for last few months and there seems to be limited downside from the current levels though there is a limited activity too.

International Manganese ore prices are mostly influenced by Chinese demand and there are limited upside given the huge inventory at Chinese Ports, which is affected by sluggish Steel and Ferro Alloy market in China. This resulted in Manganese Ore demand to decline, which is expected to remain stable for the time being. Unlike China, stock levels of Manganese ore still continues to be low with the Indian Smelters, which is dogged by severe financial crisis owing to high cost of production fueled by lack of demand.