Platts consults market on high-grade manganese ore methodology

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, is seeking feedback from market participants on its methodology for high-grade manganese ore.

Platts currently publishes a 44% manganese ore CIF China price assessment and iron and silica differentials for high-grade ore.

Initial feedback from market participants indicates that value-in-use adjustments may not be sufficient to account for the observed spot price differences across cargoes.

Platts is therefore seeking industry feedback on how best to account for physical, chemical and metallurgical differences, as well as other market-related factors that affect price, in line with acceptable market practice. Platts is also seeking feedback as to whether changes may be appropriate to better reflect how high-grade manganese ore is traded and valued.

Specifically, Platts is looking for input on, but not limited to, the following:

Normalization approach: Whether Platts should continue publishing iron and silica differences and continue to use them in normalizing data points with specifications differing from Platts basis specifications. If so, how such an approach may be refined to account for differences beyond iron and silica content, for example, by considering phosphorus, sizing, minimum guaranteed specifications, shipment timing and other contractual differences.
Basis specifications: Platts seeks feedback as to whether the existing 44% manganese ore CIF China assessment's basis specifications remain the most representative of the high-grade manganese ore market, in light of its being reflective of seaborne, spot material.

The current assessment specifications are as follows:

Assessment	Symbol	Quality	Quantity	Dimensions	Incoterm	Timing	Payment	UOM
Manganese Ore 44% CIF China	AAWER00	High-grade 40% to 46% Mn, normalized to 44% Mn, 4% Fe, 8% SiO2, 7.99% Al2O3, 0.11% P and 3% moisture.	Min 5,000 mt or full hatch	5-80 mm lumps, 90% passing	CIF Tianjin	Loading 2-8 weeks	L/C at sight	$/dmtu
Manganese Ore Iron (Fe) Differential per 1% (above 40% Manganese ore)	FAWER04	Differential assessment of per 1% Fe for manganese ores with above 40% manganese content						$/dmtu
Manganese Ore Silica (SiO2) Differential per 1% (above 40% Manganese ore)	SAWER04	differential assessment of per 1% SiO2 for manganese ores with above 40% manganese content						$/dmtu

More details of the Platts manganese ore methodology can be found in the Global Steel, Ferrous Scrap, Ferroalloys and Noble Alloys specifications guide.

Platts also seeks feedback on the appropriate timing and implementation of any methodology changes.

Please send any questions, comments, or feedback to Platts Manganese Platts_Manganese@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Aug. 21.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.