Platts launches high-grade manganese ore value-in-use differentials, new specs for current ore grades

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, expanded its CIF China manganese ore coverage and has launched weekly value-in-use (VIU) assessments of iron and silica differentials for high-grade 44% manganese ores, with effect May 5.

Platts has also revised the content specifications of existing manganese ore assessments.

The launch of VIU differentials reflected growing demand for increased transparency in spot pricing.

Market feedback was that determining potential penalties and premia for iron (Fe) and silica (SiO2) content of high-grade manganese ores will improve price normalization.

The differentials are determined by analyzing data gathered from industry sources buying or selling cargoes with differing Fe content and differing silica impurities.

The VIU assessments are published every Friday alongside Platts weekly manganese ore CIF China assessments with specifications as stated below:

Manganese Ore Iron (Fe) Differential per 1% (above 40% Manganese ore)

Manganese Ore Silica (SiO2) Differential per 1% (above 40% Manganese ore)

The assessments reflect a 5:30 pm Singapore timestamp with a unit price of dollars per dry metric ton unit.

The symbols for the new VIU assessments are as follows:

At the same time, Platts has changed the assessed specifications for the iron content of 44% manganese ore to 4% from 6%, and semi-carbonate manganese ore content to 36% from 37%.

Platts manganese ore specifications after revisions are as follows:

The assessments are published on Platts Metals Alert pages MTL 395 and PMA 395, Platts Metals Daily, Steel Markets Daily, on Platts Market Center, in Platts Dimensions Pro and the Platts price database.

The previously published subscriber notes can be found at:

https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/031723-platts-proposes-to-launch-high-grade-manganese-ore-value-in-use-differentials-change-specifications-for-current-ore-grade

https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/our-methodology/subscriber-notes/040523-platts-to-launch-high-grade-manganese-ore-value-in-use-differentials-change-specifications-for-current-ore-grades

Market participants are invited to send all comments, feedback, and questions to pl_asia_nonferrous@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

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