Prices for March delivery of manganese in China have slipped due to fierce competition and excess inventory. The ramp up in manganese production in 2010 seems to have hit a ceiling in the short term. However, long term outlook shows increased demand for the metal going forward.
While demand for steel is expected to cool off slightly in 2011, Indian steel manufactures are aggressively seeking raw material acquisitions such as manganese mines in South Africa. India hopes to increase steel production by 67 percent by 2012.
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.
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?
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