- Imported Mn ore prices show mixed trend m-o-m
- Domestic SiMn prices sees modest rise m-o-m
MOIL, the state-owned mining company, has announced a price revision in manganese ore, effective 1 July, 2025. The company has implemented a modest 2% increase in prices of ferro grades — “both above and below 44% Mn content”, as per a company release. Meanwhile, prices of all SMGR grades, including Mn30% and Mn25%, have been rolled over on a m-o-m basis.
Factors affecting prices
Imported high-grade ore reflects mixed trends m-o-m: South African-origin manganese ore (37%) prices went up slightly by a monthly average of $3.96/dry metric tonne unit (dmtu) in June compared to $3.93/dmtu in May. However, for manganese ore of Australian (46%) origin, prices dipped by 4% to $4.67/dmtu in June as against $4.84/dmtu in May. Gabon-origin ore (Mn44%) too moved down by 4% to $4.36/dmtu in June as against $4.52/dmtu in May.
Global miners trims offers for July: United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK), a leading global manganese ore producer based in South Africa, has set offers for its 36% grade South African semi-carbonate lumps at $3.85/dmtu CIF China for July deliveries, down by $0.05/dmtu m-o-m. Eramet Comilog, another key manganese ore exporter from Gabon, has set its July shipment prices at $4.25/dmtu CIF China for Mn44.5% lumps and $4.05/dmtu for Mn43%, down $0.15/dmtu m-o-m.
However, South32, a prominent global mining company, announced a price hike for its 37% grade South African semi-carbonated manganese ore lumps for July shipments. Prices have edged up by $0.05/dmtu m-o-m to $3.85/dmtu CIF China. Tight supply and steady Chinese demand supported the slight increase in manganese ore prices.
Domestic silico manganese inches up m-o-m: Domestic prices of 60-14 grade silico manganese edged up m-o-m to around INR 71,800/t ($837/t) exw Raipur in June compared to INR 71,200/t ($830/t) in May, as per BigMint’s assessment. Key smelters responded to oversupply by strategically curbing production, prompting localized price recoveries. These output adjustments helped ease inventory pressure and restored some balance to regional silico manganese markets.
India’s SiMn export offers largely stable m-o-m: Silico manganese (60-14) export offers remained mostly stable at $840/t FOB India in June compared to $839/t in May. Meanwhile, the 65-16 grade fell by 1% to $921/t FOB India in June as against $931/t in May. India’s silico manganese export prices stayed steady m-o-m amid limited bulk deals, firm producer offers, and buyer resistance, leading to some lower transaction levels and cautious market sentiment.
Indian billet prices down by 5% m-o-m: Domestic billet prices declined m-o-m, with tags at INR 37,800/t ($441/t) exw-Raipur in June compared to INR 39,800/t ($464/t) in May, down by 5%. The decline in prices is largely driven by subdued finished steel demand and persistent liquidity challenges, which have curbed buyer participation and dampened sentiment in major consuming regions.
Outlook
The overall outlook remains cautious, with silico manganese and ore markets facing pressure from weak steel demand and liquidity constraints. While supply adjustments may support prices short-term, recovery depends on demand revival.
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