Ukraine, China supplying silico-manganese market

Ukraine and China are increasing their share of the Western World’s silico-manganese market.

In its study The Costs of Producing Manganese Ferro-alloys, CRU International says the two countries more than doubled their share in 1992, to 19%. The metals and minerals consulting firm goes on to cite preliminary figures for 1993 which indicate an additional increase to more than 20%. Low production costs worked to the advantage of both countries. In 1992, six silico-manganese producers reported export costs below US$400 per tonne and five were above US$700. Low-cost producers included China, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, as well as South Africa, Australia and Brazil. The highest costs were recorded by producers in Japan and India. CRU says the trend in the industry is for further ties between producers of manganese ore and alloys. Two or three years hence, 70-80% of production could be integrated, compared with 35-40% a few years ago.

For more information, write to CRU International, 31 Mount Pleasant, London, England, WC1X 0AD.