Many mining companies in the Pilbara region of Western Australia have been consolidating manganese and iron ore operations. Pallinghurst Resources describes their strategy as a ‘steel feed corporation,’ producing all the products for steel milling operations. Also, Consolidated Minerals and OM Holdings are talking merger.
A new proprietary process for the treatment of manganese ore being developed by American Manganese may decrease the competitive advantage held by Chinese steel manufactures over the steel producers in the US. The new economic and environmentally friendly process can produce high quality manganese from low grade ore.
With the eyes of the world on South Africa during the World Cup, electrical company Eskom faces disruptions in power supply. How will the World Cup and a looming workers strike effect power supply to mining operations?
While demand for steel is rising, overproduction and surpluses have put downward pressure on the price of steel, and consequently, manganese. However, strong data shows little signs of weak demand for the metals. Is the downward trend a slowing of emerging economies or simply a price correction? Also, manganese company news, and an interesting development in manganese mining from Korea.
Mining giants BHP Billiton and Vale S.A. have increased their manganese production in light of rebounding steel demand from India and China. The long term outlook for manganese looks strong due to increased demand for the metal, as well as factors on the supply side that may drive up prices through 2011.
Electrolytic manganese, a crucial component in the production of steel, is wholly under the control of China which produces 97.5 percent of the world’s electrolytic manganese. Listed as a vital strategic metal by the US Department of Defense, two operations in Arizona are looking to fill the need. American Manganese Inc and Wildcat Silver Corporation have released data on their US based operations.
A new Lithium-Ion battery that utilizes manganese may be the solution that is needed for renewable energy sources. The new battery, from Hitachi, is said to have double the output of regular Lithium batteries, with a life span of ten years. This may drive the future manganese market if use is widespread.
OM Holdings and Jupiter Mines have announced major manganese mining operations in South Africa. Also, American Manganese Inc. is advancing its manganese mine in Mohave County, Arizona.
The coming six months will bring much-needed cheer to the global manganese markets, and investors should get in now before prices escalate.
Besides being a critical component in steel and iron production and batteries, on-going research has shown that manganese can be used as a critical component in new technologies. This means investors can sit pretty after taking a long-term investment call on this metal.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010