Increased buying pushes silicon higher

London 06 November 2009 14:38

Silicon outside of China traded higher on Friday as buyers come to the market to cover for the rest of year with the expectation that prices will firm further.

The range rose to €1,680-1,730 per tonne ($2,496-2,571) from €1,650-1,700 per tonne previously on increased sales and bullish sentiment.

One trader reported selling around 500 tonnes of silicon metal this week and noted more consumer enquiries from the automotive sector.

"We sold 553 and 441 between €1,700 and €1,800 [per tonne fca]," the trader said.

"Business has picked up this week. I think it will be like this until December," he said, adding that the spot market would remain firm given the tightness in supply.

Both Chinese and Western prices are on the rise, a second trader told MB, confirming a sale of 50 tonnes of 441 material at €1,730 fob.

"There isn't too much material around. I could have done more but it's not easy to buy [replacement] material," he added.

A consumer from the automotive sector reported buying silicon this week at €1,700 per tonne, but did not provide further details of the purchase.

More enquiries have turned into business, a European producer source said, having completed transactions of 100-tonne lots at €1,740 fob for 553 metal and €1,775 for higher grades.

"It seems like things are on the move up," he said, also attributing the rise in prices to a tighter market.

There have been some aggressive offers in the market, a third trader noted.

"I haven't done any business this week but we have been offered at around €1,700," he confirmed.

Antimony ingot,Antimony Trioxide falls under pressure from lower offers

London 06 November 2009 12:44

Antimony prices fell for the first time since mid-September on Friday as some smelters lowered their offers to secure sales.

Trioxide-grade metal dipped to $6,250-6,450 per tonne from $6,275-6,475 per tonne previously, while standard grade II antimony fell to $6,200-6,400 per tonne from $6,250-6,450 per tonne.

Prices had been holding firm on tight supply from Chinese suppliers following an accident at Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star in October that resulted in the closure of its mines.

Producers raised their offers in the wake of the closure, but consumers' reluctance to buy metal above $6,000 has put pressure on spot prices this week, traders said.

"The market price is a bit softer – some of the smelters have reduced their offers in order to make some sales," one trader said, reporting business at the low end of the new MB quotes.

Hsikwangshan's production is still suspended, sources said, but they agreed that weak demand from end-users is offsetting the effect of the closure.

Both major antimony consumers in Europe, Sica and Campine, have not been active in the spot market for several weeks, market participants said.

Lower spot prices for antimony ore are adding to the weakness in the metal market, the trader said.

"The ore price has been coming down for a bit," he said.

While buying from Sica and Campine has been slack, consumers in Japan and Korea are buying steady volumes of metal, Asian sources said.

Chinese ferromolybdenum price falls 7% on weak buying interest

Shanghai 29 October 2009 02:41

Chinese molybdenum concentrate prices fell 150 yuan ($22) per tonne, extending weeks of declines caused by poor demand.

Prices dropped to 1,900-1,950 yuan ($278-286) per mtu, from 2,050-2,100 yuan per mtu last week.

"We haven't purchased any concentrate recently as prices dropped very quickly and we also have some inventory which will last until next month," said a ferro-molybdenum producer in Huludao, Liaoning province.

Domestic ferro-molybdenum prices also dropping rapidly these days as no buyers want to buy, the ferro-molybdenum producer added.

"Most stainless steel mills are unwilling to buy ferro-molybdenum because of poor sales for their own products. And the anti-dumping issue on Chinese stainless steel pipe is also making them hesitant to buy ferro-molybdenum," said a major ferro-molybdenum producer in Luoyang, Henan province.

Ferro-molybdenum is now trading at around 126,000-131,000 yuan per tonne, down as much as 6,000 yuan from last week, according to producers.

While demand is thin, supply is more than adequate, trader said.

"There is a lot of concentrate and ferro-molybdenum inventory in the market now, so some ferro-molybdenum producers have cut operating rates to reduce output," said a major molybdenum concentrater producer in Shanxi province. Many molybdenum miners are producing at loss now, he added.

Another ferro-molybdenum producer in Liaoning province told MB his company has cut production and is only supplying long-time customers in order to maintain relationships.

Market sentiment was also hit by lower European molybdic oxide prices, the Huludao producer said, adding that he has no intention of buying molybdic oxide for the time being. MB's prices for drummed molybdic oxide fell to $10.50-11.50 per lb on Wednesday.

China imported 5,067 tonnes molybdenum concentrate and molybdic oxide in September, down 17% month-on-month, taking nine-month imports totalled 51,350 tonnes, according to customs.

Most market players expect further price declines as there is no sign of buyers returning in any great number to make purchase in the near future.

"Concentrate prices may drop to 1,700-1,800 yuan or even to 1,500-1,600 yuan," the second Liaoning producer said.

"In the current market, I reckon that concentrate prices could drop to 1,700-1,800 yuan in the coming months," said the Luoyang producer.

U.S. molybdenum prices drift lower but bottom seen

NEW YORK 04 November 2009 16:29

U.S. molybdenum pricing remains volatile, but many in the trade believe that a floor has been established on the back of another market dip.

Spot prices for molybdic oxide are now in a range of $10.50 to $11 per pound, down from $12.30 to $12.70 two weeks ago, while ferromolybdenum is between $12.75 and $13 per pound, down from $13.90 to $14.10, traders said.

Moly prices have been on a roller coaster ride for the past six months. Molybdic oxide, which hit a low of $8.55 a pound in April, climbed to $18.25 in August but since then has given back about 40 percent.

"Have we fallen to the floor? Everybody is trying to figure that part out," a U.S.-based trader said. "The Chinese haven't shown too much interest in purchasing but they're not sellers either, so it's a little bit difficult to gauge what is going on."

A second trader said there's not really any spot activity to speak of as most buyers are safely covered for the fourth quarter. "But there is a growing sentiment that we've reached a bottom, but the problem is that we're entering a seasonably slow period," he said. "Things are going to be pretty sleepy here from Thanksgiving through the holidays."

Raw steel production in the United States fell last week for the first time since June, with the average capability utilization rate easing back to 62.7 percent from 63.2 percent a week earlier, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington.

"It feels like the demand for steel, looking at the utilization rates, is slacking off a small bit," the first trader said. "But that's not unexpected; we've been anticipating that November might be softer than October."

A third U.S.-based ferroalloy trader was significantly more bullish. "This ship is starting to turn around," the trader said, noting that he made a number of sales of moly oxide at $11.25 per pound. "The Chinese have come in and are buying, contrary to what other people are saying. There's a little more buying going around, just in general. Consumers are seeing a really cheap price and are being enticed to buy. I'm not seeing the lower numbers in the range anymore."

The first trader said that he hadn't seen any significant Chinese buying activity and their buying decisions would drive prices in the fourth quarter. "If the Chinese aren't buyers, then the market's going lower just based on the fundamentals and the fact that fourth-quarter (demand) is shaping up to be pretty soft. If they are buyers, depending on the extent, it could be a flat market."

However, he noted that prices won't actually go up until consumers return in bulk to the spot market. Currently, nearly all ferroalloy purchasing is being conducted through long-term contracts.

"The trade is getting a little bit ahead of this with the thought that it's bottoming. The feeling is that people are cautiously optimistic for what is going to happen in the first quarter," the trader said.

Chinese ferromolybdenum traders eager to replenish

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 2 Nov 09 – As Chinese ferromolybdenum prices have been dropping for more than three weeks and steel mills remain placing orders on a need-only basis, participant believe that ferromolybdenum price will not rebound sharply in the rest of this year. Traders appeared more interested in replenishing their stocks more or less currently.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 332H
A trader from Hebei told Asian Metal that he will keep a wait-and-see attitude towards the ferromolybdenum market and will not sell the materials in a hurry this week, because he feels that dealers are ready to come back to the market for replenishing.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 7A38
"I think most traders have been watching and waiting for lowest prices for a long time, and the current price level has been more and more closing their interested level," said the source. "Though the price of ferromolybdenum has been continuously dropping for several weeks, I believe it is able to increase one day."
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com QL7S
The source still has 10t of the material in hand but does not hurry to sell the material to get cash, reporting that another trader has about 100t of ferromolybdenum in hand, which were bought at around RMB80,000/t (USD19.52/kg Mo) long time ago.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 58EN
A source from Beijing, with a production capacity of 350tpm of ferromolybdenum, confirmed that traders have been eager to purchase ferromolybdenum since the middle of last week. "We sold more than ten tons of ferromolybdenum 60% to traders at around RMB127,000/t (USD30.99/kg Mo) last week, and I think more and more traders will come back to the market in the coming days," said the source.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com LFPJ
Furthermore, the source stopped offering for ferromolybdenum and ferrovanadium last Friday, because they were not sure with the future market but expressed that ferromolybdenum market hasn't touched the bottom yet and the price may drop further this week.

European FeMo market set to stir again

BEIJING (Asian Metal) 2 Nov 09 – With around 100t of ferromolybdenum material concluded to Korea and Taiwan late last week, the market firmed as it was difficult, if not impossible to find offers below USD25.50/kg despite its seesaw trend earlier in the week.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com A943
Responding to the backward-and-forward motion the market witnessed last week, a European dealer with enquiries worth 15t on the table Friday decided to wait until wait until the trend becomes clear, hopefully at opening of trading session this morning, but indicated he might not offer material at below USD26.00/kg Mo d.p. and would expect a firm bid at a few cents lower. "It should curve up this week having been on the low side for long," said the source.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com JRQY
Another source offered 5t at USD26.50/kg Mo d.p. Friday with extended payment term but was still awaiting final bid as at the press time. The source defended his offer of extended payment term of forty-five days alluding to fear it could be that some traders are covering for short again and any stir in activity might be short-lived. "I would hope this is a real bottom-out," said the source. "We'd have to see."
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 2B07
In the same vein, molyoxide price have firmed and according to participants, it was difficult to get offers at below USD10.70/lb. A European dealer who had earlier dismissed an offer at USD10.90/lb by bidding the material at USD10.75/lb was caught unawares as the supplier had withdrawn it by close of business Friday.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com E446
Generally, however, an insider was of the view there have been more talks than action and it could still be possible to get firm bids at USD10.70/lb, especially from dealers who need cash to meet pressing commitments.

Cobalt, molybdenum seen on different paths as LME contracts near

Molybdenum and cobalt will soon emerge as the London Metal Exchange's first minor metal contracts, but that could stand as the only similarity shared by the two materials in upcoming years.

The global molybdenum and cobalt markets will face very different fundamental situations?and therefore, pricing environments?in the mid- to long term, according to analysts of the minor metals.

Molybdenum boasts the most favorable of the two outlooks, according to Catherine Virga, senior base metals analyst at CPM Group in New York.

Although molybdenum has faced its own set of challenges at the hands of the past year's global financial meltdown, specifically the weakening of the steel market, a number of persisting structural trends have helped keep the molybdenum market afloat, she said.

"With the steel market consuming roughly 70 percent of the molybdenum supply, it's really not much of a surprise that the molybdenum market is facing some of the cyclical problems that the steel market has been having in this downturn," Virga said this week at the LME's Minor Metal Breakfast Seminar in London.

Nonetheless, "there have been rather bullish structural trends for the past couple of years (for molybdenum). These structural trends have not been impeded by the recession and they continue to play out," she said pointing to recent and impending infrastructure builds throughout Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations and the urbanization and industrialization of emerging economies.

"China's seeing a tremendous surge in demand for molybdenum and steel," Virga said, noting that some 120 million tonnes of steel are forecast to be consumed worldwide during the next two years due to the various fiscal stimulus packages.

The supply side of the molybdenum equation is also strong. China, once a net exporter of the minor metal, has become a net importer partially due to a number of "significant" mine closures, she said.

Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

Additionally, many of the new copper deposits slated to come on-stream in the near-future are located in Africa, where cobalt?not molybdenum?is the prime byproduct.

"We're not going to have the same amount of supplies coming from byproduct production," Virga said, noting than some 60 percent of total molybdenum output today comes from copper-molybdenum mineralizations. As a result, the molybdenum market, which could face "a very narrow surplus" this year and in 2010, will move back into deficit by 2011, she added.

With demand on the rise and supply on the decline, the molybdenum market is slated for the upside. According to CPM's estimates, molybdenum will average $11.70 per pound in 2009 and $17.50 in 2010. In today's environment, canned molybdic oxide is in the $13.75- to $14-per-pound range, after having grazed April lows of $8.30 per pound.

While the forecast for molybdenum is sunny, cobalt could still have some stormy days ahead, according to Eric Taarland, senior consultant at CRU International Ltd.

Cobalt, at one time a strong minor metal in terms of price, is facing weakening fundamentals going forward as a growing number of mining operations are brought on-stream throughout Africa, specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.'s majority-owned Tenke Fungurume project alone, which began production this year, is initially expected to produce some 18 million pounds of cobalt annually.

Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

"As more supply comes on-stream, we expect (pricing) deterioration," Taarland said at the LME breakfast.

Cobalt demand is also on the decline, he said. Although the minor metal, which is primarily used in superalloys and batteries, will see a brief uptick as electric cars evolve, other uses of the minor metal are quickly "maturing," he added.

"We do not expect growth to continue at these same levels as the last decade," Taarland said, noting that CRU estimates a 2009 average price of $20 per pound for low-grade (99.3-percent) cobalt and a long-term price of $10 per pound.

Low-grade cobalt is currently in the $14.5- to $15.6-per-pound range, up from first-quarter lows of $9 but a far cry from the nearly $50-per-pound level seen in March 2008.

Yet despite the expected market divergence between cobalt and molybdenum in future years, the LME expects both contracts to thrive on their new trading platform, Martin Abbott, LME's chief executive officer, said. "These are two markets that have been historically extremely volatile and extremely difficult to price," he said, noting that both are "perfect" for LME contracts.

The exchange's new molybdic oxide and cobalt futures contracts will start trading on Feb. 22.

Moly oxide prices will be higher next year, Molymet’s Graell

The average molybdic oxide price in 2010 will be higher than in 2009, John Graell, ceo of Chile's molybdenum converter Molymet, told MB.

"I wouldn't risk estimating a price, but the 2010 average will be higher than 2009's, although I don't think the difference will be greatly significant," Graell said, responding to the recent forecast of an average price of $17.50 per lb in 2010 by Catherine Virga, senior base metals analyst at CPM Group (MB Oct 14).

Meanwhile, Graell still expects an average of around $11 per lb for the whole of 2009, a figure he forecast in June (MB Jun 8).

At that time, prices were around $9.80-10.50 per lb and recovering from levels as low as $7.70-8.30 per lb in mid-April. But Graell had warned that "highs and lows" could still affect the market.

His words proved prescient, as prices rose to $18.30-18.70 per lb by mid-August before dropping again, trading at $13-13.50 per lb in the last two weeks.

"I think volatility will accentuate in the long term, and not only in the molybdenum market but in other metals markets and in the industry in general," he said, adding that companies will have to prepare for this new scenario.

Still higher prices in the second half are driving Molymet's utilisation rate upwards.

During the first half, the company worked at around 80% of its installed capacity of roughly 150 million lb per year and, in the second half, the level will reach 90% on average, Graell said.
Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

At the start of January, the company will start-up its new roaster furnace in Mejillones, Chile, which will be able to produce 33 million lb per year.

"By the end of the first quarter we already plan to reach full output there," he said.

Molymet also plans to build another furnace in Mejillones, which would take total capacity to 67 million lb per year.

The company recently submitted a request to Chile's environmental authorities to construct the furnace and is now waiting for the permits to continue its studies.

In China, the company has been granted environmental approval to build a molybdenum processing plant in Inner Mongolia, which could be commissioned by the end of 2012 and have a capacity of around 18 million lb per year.

The plant would represent Molymet's debut in the Chinese market.

"We are now finalising technical studies in order to take them to our board in the first half of next year," Graell said.

Antimony ingots,antimony trioxide prices soar in China on Hunan supply concerns

Shanghai 23 October 2009 08:30 Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

China's domestic antimony prices are being driven up by rumours that Hunan province will force antimony miners to consolidate in the wake of the Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star accident in early October.

Grade II antimony in the Chinese free market was quoted at 42,000-43,700 yuan ($6,151-6,400) per tonne this week.

"The prices are going up these days, and most of the offers have settled above 43,000 yuan per tonne," said an analyst at Minmetals in Beijing.

Hunan's provincial government may try to restructure antimony mining in the area by reducing the number of companies in operation from 80 to just six through mergers and shutdowns of smaller producers, sources said.

Twenty-six miners died earlier this month when their transport cage plunged down a mineshaft, an accident that once again highlighted dangerous conditions in China's mining sector.

The provincial government wants fewer and bigger companies to ensure mine safety can be monitored more effectively, source said. 

"Once the government meddles with the accident [investigations], the nearby smaller miners may be asked to shut down for safety reasons," said an analyst from a Securities Company in Shanghai.

Market participants did not know when Twinkling Star would resume production, and the company could not be contacted.

"Definitely, the accident will cause output losses for Twinkling Star, but what's worse, it will spread supply concerns all over Hunan province and the country as a whole," he added.

Hsikwangshan is a subsidiary of Hunan Nonferrous and is also the top antimony producer in the world.

Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

"We have no idea when the mine will resume operation in Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star, but it will for sure take some time," said a Chinese trader, adding that prices would likely rise further.
Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

"Antimony prices were already in line with other non-ferrous metals and the strong performance of gold, which began to surge even before October," she said.

Cobalt prices jump higher as enquiries turn into business

21 October 2009 12:53  Published by samjiefu@gmail.com

Cobalt prices moved up again on Wednesday as traders and producers were able to turn some of the new enquiries they are fielding into business.

Low-grade cobalt rose to change hands at $16-17 per lb from $15.40-16 last week, while high-grade climbed to $17-18.50 from $16.50-17.50.

"Volumes last week began going up," one trader, who sold Russian material at $16.80 per lb, said.

"There has been a 10-20% uplift in prices, initially inspired by traders on the back of speculative Chinese enquiries," he added.

But he preached caution. Despite having sold high-grade metal at $18.80 per lb on a delivered works basis in China, he said: "It's all going on in the $16-18 range, but at the top end it's all very quiet."

A second trading source said that the move up in prices last week caught some consumers out.

"It's a classic situation. There is pent-up demand from consumers, but they always miss the boat. They wait for the market to bottom, but by the time it has, it's too late," he said.

There are many hundreds of tonnes of enquiries for metal in the market to cover the end of this year and 2010, he said.

"The reality is there's not much metal out there and the chemicals and battery sectors are going well," he said, predicting that prices will trade in an $18-20 range in November.

A producer source agreed. "Batteries are doing pretty well in Japan and Korea," he said. "But it's all really a question of supply."

To illustrate the problems traders and consumers face in obtaining material, many pointed to Kasese's continuing absence from the market; the fact that Chambishi has not yet restarted; BHP Billiton's withdrawal from the spot market; and to reports from other market participants that Sherritt is sold out of spot material till December.

But one consumer source was sceptical about what is driving the higher prices.

"The market still seems to be moving up but, to my feeling, for the wrong reasons," he told MB. "Demand for end products remains significantly depressed."

The bearish factor of overall supply rising on higher production from sources such as Freeport McMoRan's Tenke Fungurume mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo is also being ignored.

Antimony ingots,antimony trioxide stable in tight global market

London 21 October 2009 14:49

Antimony prices were stable on Wednesday as European consumers and traders mostly stayed out of the tight market.

Trioxide-grade antimony is trading at $6,275-6,475 per tonne and standard-grade II antimony is trading at $6,250-6,450 per tonne.

Little business was reported on Wednesday, with traders and consumers both reluctant to accept Chinese offers as high as $6,700 per tonne.

"In Europe, the prices are too high and people don't want to buy anything. At these levels, I think they are boycotting the market," one Chinese trader said.

"I don't have any transactions to report, they are not accepting offers even above $6,400 – I think they will only accept $6,350 or below," he said.

The only businesses reported on Wednesday were for small tonnages booked at the top end of the MB ranges.

Prices have soared since the fatal accident and subsequent suspension of mining activity at Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star, the world's largest antimony producer, on October 8.

Mining at Twinkling Star will not restart for another three weeks at the earliest and mine shutdowns have been reported across Hunan province's deep level antimony mines, sources said on Wednesday.

"I don't think Twinkling Star will be open for another month or so," one European trader said, reporting sales at $6,450 for standard grade II metal.

Despite the rising Chinese offers and the tightening domestic market, European traders and consumers are not desperate for material.

End-users are anticipating lower demand for antimony trioxide as the winter in the northern hemisphere draws in, and traders are limiting their shipments into Europe because of the limited consumer interest, they said.

"The whole situation is stupid – the Chinese are trying to create panic and the prices are ridiculous – the season [for strong buying] is over," one consumer said.

"There's no real demand and I am not going to buy for a while," he told MB, noting that offers have fallen to $6,450 per tonne in Europe already from highs of $7,000 per tonne a week ago.

A second consumer also maintained that the price rise is "artificial", and driven by trader speculation in Europe and China.

European traders disagreed, saying that they are also struggling with the high prices from China.

"That right, it's all manipulated. I am actually buying at $5,700," joked one trader.

"I wish I could buy at $5,700," he added, reporting small sales at $6,500 per tonne.

Antimony ingots,antimony trioxide holds firm on tight supply

Antimony prices held firm on Friday as supply in Europe remained tight and Chinese suppliers maintained their high offers.

Trioxide-grade metal is trading at $6,275-6,475 per tonne and standard grade II metal is trading at $6,250-6,450 per tonne.

Prices surged in the first half of the week following a fatal accident and the subsequent suspension of all mining activity at Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star, the world's largest producer of the minor metal.

"Since the [MB] prices went up on Wednesday, I have had a lot of demand. I have had calls from Chinese people, from consumers, from European traders," one trader said. "The consumers have not stopped bidding me all week."

Business was reported in the second half of the week between $4,300 and $4,500 per tonne, with traders reporting tight supply in Rotterdam.

Offers out of China have been as high as $7,000 per tonne this week, although most material is offered at around $6,500 per tonne.

No material is expected to arrive in warehouses from China for another three to four weeks, market participants said, adding that they are expecting the mine suspension at Twinkling Star to continue for the next month at least.

"The mine will not be reopening for a month, and it could be three months before they reopen fully," the first trader said.

A second trader agreed that demand has been good this week, but forecast little upside in antimony from this week's levels.

"I have heard some ridiculous numbers this week above $6,500, but fundamentally I still see the trade as comfortable at the highs… Yesterday, there was very heavy trading, there was a lot of volume sold," the second trader said.

With demand from cable manufacturers set to decline as the northern hemisphere winter draws in, prices are unlikely to gain more ground, consumers and traders said.

"I don't see us getting much beyond the 2008 high," the second trader said.

Trioxide-grade antimony peaked at $6,850 per tonne in September last year, an all-time high for the metal. Prices then fell back to $4,200-4,400 per tonne by the end of 2008 as slowing industrial activity hampered demand.

Antimony trioxide prices continue to increase in the US

19 Oct 09 – Prices for antimony continue on the rise this week as participants report purchases completed last week in the USD5,700-USD5,800/t for antimony trioxide 99.5%min of Chinese origin. Participants anticipate that the price for antimony trioxide will reach the USD6,000/t mark by the end of the month as the effect of the Twinkling Star production stand-still for safety inspections begins to affect product availability.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com FE4Q
A California-based trader, who moves about a container of antimony products a month, confirmed that the prices for antimony products are on the rise. The trader said that he purchased a container of antimony trioxide 99.5%min from a Chinese source late last week at USD5,800/t CIF California, for late November delivery. He stated that his previous purchase of a container of antimony trioxide 99.5%min was concluded at about USD5,200/t CIF California in early September.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 58P1
"The prices for antimony products have increased a lot since news of the mining accident two weeks ago. I expect prices to continue its upward trend well into November as the effects of the mine and smelter closures in Hunan begin to affect the availability of antimony products," said the source.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 55P5
A California-based consumer in the chemical industry, with a monthly consumption of one container of antimony trioxide a month, signed a contract for a container of antimony trioxide 99.5%min early last week at USD5,750/t CIF California also for November delivery. The buyer disclosed that the price for antimony has increased by about USD4,00/t since his last purchase was finalized in September. At this time, he does not expect the price to stabilize until the end of the year.

Magnesium ingot producers expect clear future

16 Oct 09 – The concluded price of magnesium ingot keeps comparatively stable. Producers, most of whom are running below their capacities, are fulfilling signed contracts without much material in stock. They expect the market to be clearer in the near future. Magnesium ingot price in Shaanxi and Shanxi still keeps on the level of RMB15,150-15,350/t (USD2,218-2,247/t) ex works and RMB15,400-15,600/t (USD2,254-2,284) ex works respectively.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com XZ3G
A Shanxi-based producer, who is operating at one third of its capacity of 1,500tpm, revealed that they have concluded some small deals and still keep a stock of 300-400t of magnesium ingot in hand. "We do hope the price can go up, so that we won't have to sell magnesium ingot with little profit," said the source.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com FRM7
The source reported to Asian Metal that consumers still have the intention of buying magnesium ingot, but the demand is not strong enough to push up the price. "Because of the comparatively low cost, the offers from Shaanxi-based smelters are generally RMB200-300/t less than those from Shanxi-based ones," added the source.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 108Q
A Ningxia-based producer, whose output is nearly 1,000tpm now, disclosed that they finalized some contracts at RMB15,600/t (USD2,284/t) ex works after the long holiday. "With no stock in hand, we raise our offer to RMB15,700/t (USD2,299/t) ex works, although the concluded price will be a little lower. I think the market will improve to some extent," the source said.
Asianmetal(English) http://www.asianmetal.com 042M
According to the source, some producers in Fugu also lift their offers of magnesium ingot to RMB15,400-15,500/t (USD2,254-2,269/t) ex works, and they do not accept prices below RMB15,200/t (USD2,225/t) ex works without acid treatment and package. "The magnesium ingot market seems to be a little better, but I am still not sure until now. We are looking forward to a clear trend as soon as possible," added the source.

Antimony ingots,Antimony Trioxide offers skyrocketing in China on mine accident

(2009-10-13)12 Oct 09 – The fatal mine accident in Lengshuijiang, Hunan province on 8 October has been stimulating local antimony producers to drive their offers up drastically over the past few days. For fear that the government would shut down all the smelters nearby for safety concerns, many producers either hold back from offering or start to quote as high as RMB43,000-44,000/t (USD6,296-6,442/t) ex works for antimony ingot and RMB39,000-40,000/t (USD5,710-5,857/t) ex works for antimony trioxide. In the meanwhile, consumers take a wait-and-see approach as most of them cannot adopt themselves to the surprisingly high increase in price.
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A Hunan-based antimony ingot producer has ceased offering since last Friday. "We have to be cautious about selling our stocks because once we are required to halt production, the price is bound to rise further," said the source, revealing that as of the end of last week, the production in Lengshuijiang has not been affected by the accident, but most producers in the region are ready to close down to be inspected.
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The source has some antimony concentrate in stock which is enough to produce around 100t of antimony ingot and also holds a stock of 30-40t of antimony ingot. The source revealed that their last deal was concluded at around RMB39,500/t (USD5,783/t) ex works before the National Day holiday for antimony ingot 99.65%min. "We heard that some producers have lifted their offer to RMB43,000-44,000/t (USD6,296-6,442/t) ex works and some quote as high as RMB45,000/t (USD6,589/t) ex works, but I don't think they have real intention of selling, and I'm sure consumers cannot accept such high prices for the time being," said the source.
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A Guangdong-based antimony trioxide producer also plans to not make offers until the market trend get clear. "We cannot get antimony ingot from our suppliers in Hunan, most of whom have suspended selling after the accident happened," said the source.
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According to the source, the company is running normally at the moment with an output of around 200tpm for antimony trioxide. Its stock for antimony ingot can meet their demand for production for another four to six weeks.
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"Since we cannot guarantee the supply of raw material in next one or two months, we're only going to take selected orders from our long-term customers," said the source. Like many antimony ingot producers, the source does not know how to quote for antimony trioxide, either. He added that, "We're fulfilling some contracts signed at around RMB36,000/t (USD5,271/t) ex works in the second half of September, but now we have to quote RMB40,000/t (USD5,857/t) ex works if we receive inquiries."
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Sources believe that the antimony products market will keep stagnant in the following one or two weeks with offering prices soaring but few deals concluded. They do not think it easy for end users to accept prices of RMB43,000-44,000/t (USD6,296-6,442/t) ex works and RMB39,000-40,000/t (USD5,710-5,857/t) ex works respectively for antimony ingot and antimony trioxide. Some of them worry that the dramatic price increase may slow down the market demand, which will probably force producers to lower their prices again.

Chinese antimony suppliers cease offering

10 Oct 09 – Most Chinese producers and traders cease offering for antimony ingot after the mining accident took place in Lengshuijiang, Hunan province which claimed 26 dead and 5 injured. It is reported that the provincial government will start to shut down smelters and mines in the region to carry out overall inspections. Market sources anticipate a price jump in following few days or weeks.
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A Hunan-based antimony ingot producer who is still running with a monthly output of 70-80t has stopped offering since Friday. "We were informed that the local and provincial government would take an overall inspection on mining safety soon. If we are required to close down, we will have no material to be yielded, so we're unwilling to sell our product from stock," said the source with around 100t of antimony ingot in hand.
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The source reported that the local market has gone chaotic since the mining accident took place. Many smelters have suspended offering and some start to quote as high as RMB39,000-40,000/t (USD5,710-5,857/t) ex works VAT excluded for antimony ingot 99.65%min which was sold at only RMB36,000-36,500/t (USD5,271-5,344/t) ex works VAT excluded in late September. "It's meaningless for suppliers to send offers or for buyers to receive offers, because whatever suppliers quote, they don't want to sell at the moment," said the source.
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A Hunan-based antimony trioxide producer confirmed that most antimony ingot suppliers have ceased offering, and the antimony market situation gets tense. "It's rather difficult to buy antimony ingot from the local market. Most producers are holding back from selling for fear that they will be asked to halt production soon due to the recently happened accident," said the source.
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The source bought a batch of antimony ingot that is used for antimony trioxide production at RMB37,200/t (USD5,447/t) ex works VAT excluded during the National Day holiday but complained that some long-term suppliers refused to sell the material at prices below RMB38,500/t (USD5,637/t) ex works VAT excluded. Meanwhile, the source revealed that major smelters who concluded deals at RMB39,500-40,000/t (USD5,783-5,857/t) ex works before the long holiday also do not send offers, and some claimed that they would not sell the material at prices lower than RMB42,000/t (USD6,149/t) ex works.
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According to the source, not only sellers but also buyers are keeping a close eye on the market trend and also movement of the relevant government.

Hsikuangshan Twinkling Star accident to drive up antimony price

8 Oct 09 – On Thursday, a serious accident happened in a mine belong to Hsikuangshan Twinkling Star Co., the world largest antimony producer, with 26 miners confirmed dead. Market participants believe this accident would result in a great shortage in antimony supply and hence drive the antimony market price up in the remaing months of 2009.
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On a basis of 26,000tpy capacity, in 2008, Hsikuangshan Twinkling Star produced 21,222t antimony trioxide, of which 13,669t was exported, with the rest of 29,971t sold domestically.
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Hsikuangshan Twinkling Star also produces zinc and indium.
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Hunan is currently the largest antimony production province in China. In 2008, it got output of around 125,000t refined antimony, accounting for 70% of Chinese total of 177,000t.
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Hunan provincial government has required local all antimony miners and smelters to shut down for safety checking.
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According to Chinese practices, all local animony miners and smelters, possibly with other metals producers will stop for weeks to get through the safety checking period.
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As a result, the market might see great shortage for antimony supply in the folllowing months, which will definitely push the antimony price up.

26 miners dead in Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star accident

8 Oct 09 – Twenty-six miners were confirmed dead as two lifters in a mine in central China's Hunan Province lost control, according to rescuers on Thursday.
Rescuers said that 19 miners were killed on the spot, and seven others failed emergency treatment.
There were 31 miners in the two lifters, which plunged because of brake failure at about 9:15 a.m.. Five workers were injured in the accident, said the rescuers.
The antimony mine in Lengshuijiang City is operated by Hsikwangshan Twinkling Star,the world largest antimony producer and the largest exporter of antimony products in China.
Chen Zhaoxiong, vice governor of the province, is at the scene overseeing the effort to deal with the aftermath of the accident.
Investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
The provincial government has ordered an immediate check of workplace safety throughout the province.
In 2008, Hsikuangshan Twinkling Star produced 21,222t antimony trioxide, of which 13,669t was exported.
Hsikwaangshan Twinkling Star's production might be shut down for weeks for safety check. Local other antimony mines and smetlers will also follow such a checking procedure for two or three weeks.
Antimony market will see an obvious shortage in the following months.

Chinese antimony ingots,antimony trioxide price up facing the holiday in China

Antimony trioxide price goes upwards supported by higher price of antimony ingot, sources reported to Asian Metal. Some producers and traders raise offers of antimony trioxide 99.5%min to RMB36,500-37,000/t (USD5,344-5,417/t) ex works and USD5,300-5,400/t FOB respectively for domestic sales and exports.
A Hunan-based producer raise offer of antimony trioxide 99.5%min to RMB36,800/t (5,388/t) ex works this week from previous RMB36,500/t (USD5,344/t) ex works due to higher production cost caused by the price increase of antimony ingot. According to the source, the price of antimony ingot has seen another increase in recent one week. "The most recent offer we got from a local antimony ingot smelter is RMB38,000/t (USD5,564/t) ex works VAT excluded, nearly RMB1,500/t (USD220/t) higher than what we received ten days ago," said the source, adding that some antimony ingot smelters claimed that the lowest price they would like to accept is RMB37,500/t (USD5,490/t) ex works VAT excluded.
The source reported that antimony trioxide market is still slow. Many producers only sell the material to regular buyers and seldom do they receive orders from new orders. "End users have been resisting high price for antimony trioxide, but our production cost has been rising on higher antimony ingot price. As a result, we antimony trioxide producers are in dilema," said the source.
To avoid risks, the source only start to produce antimony trioxide when receiving orders. The smelter has produced about 100t of antimony trioxide so far in September, less than half of the production capacity.
A Hong Kong-based trader received an offer of USD5,300/t FOB Chinese main ports from a domestic supplier, up from USD5,200/t FOB China in the middle of September. "Suppliers told us that their production cost rises because antimony ingot price goes up further, and thus they lift the price of antimony trioxdie accordingly," said the source.
The source received a few offers from customers from South Asia and U.S., in past one week with a total quantity amounting to 150t, but most buyers are unwilling to accept the price increase. The source revealed that his lastEpurchase of two containers of antimony trioxide from Chinese suppliers3was concluded at USD5,050/t FOB China in lateJAugust.

Manganese Metals Flakes market quiet facing the holiday in China

Manganese market goes quiet in China with the participants staying away from the market due to the coming long holiday in early October. There are few offers or inquiries in the market.
A Changsha-based trader reported to Asian Metal that the current market has been quiet and they received very few inquiries recently from both domestic and overseas market. "As we know, most participants in China now are looking forward to the long holiday early next month and show little interest in any deals especially when demand is low and the price is not very attracting," said the source, whose last offer was USD2,150/t FOB for manganese briquette and USD2,600/t FOB for manganese flakes.
The source claimed they have one Indian buyer who usually stays in the market inquiring for one cargo of manganese briquette or flakes. "This is the only inquiry we have recently, but as the price is not workable, we are not ready to make deal," said the source, who would rather wait till till the middle of October when they return after the holiday。
Another Xiangxi-based smelter who has been away from the export market now told Asian Metal that the supply in China stays sufficient and this hinders the price from moving up. "There are offers low at around RMB13,500/t (USD1,977/t) ex works while some others insist on RMB14,000/t (USD2,050/t) ex works," said the source, who offers USD2,600-2,650/t FOB for manganese flakes, about the same price as last week.
The source expects the situation would improve a bit after the long holiday when they think the overseas buyers would have to increase some stocks for the coming months. However, they heard the supply in Rotterdam now is not so tight as early this month.