【SMM Steel】New Zealand is fast-tracking a 200,000 t/y EAF structural steel plant in Waikato by National Green Steel Ltd. to cut import reliance. The proposal includes a scrap shredder, EAF, and dedicated solar farm as part of the country's steel decarbonization plan. NZ Steel expects to start a new EAF at Glenbrook in Q2 2026. Australia's Sims Ltd. will supply scrap.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s SiMn exports were 2,539.52 mt in January 2026, down 50.55% MoM and down 31.84% YoY. China’s SiMn imports were 0 mt in January 2026, down 100% MoM and down 100% YoY. By import and export regional structure, SiMn exports were mainly destined for Indonesia.

According to the latest release from the General Administration of Customs, SMM statistics showed that China’s total manganese ore imports were 3.4426 million mt in January 2026, up 5.14% MoM and up 102.98% YoY. January imports by origin were Australia (601,700 mt, up 3.93% MoM), South Africa (1.963 million mt, up 12.1% MoM), Gabon (331,900 mt, down 11.61% MoM), Ghana (265,700 mt, down 21.39% MoM), Brazil (121,400 mt, up 80.69% MoM), and Myanmar (43,500 mt, down 4.56% MoM).

Sims Metal, an international leader in metal recycling, has invested in an electric car flattener at its Allens Avenue site, replacing the previous diesel model.

Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, is eyeing to source processed aluminium scrap for its North American extrusion plants.

Right now the price of gold sits around $5,100 an ounce, which is double where it sat just over one year ago. And the war in Iran could propel the price upwards even further.

March 13 News: Northern ports: South African high-grade ore, 32.5-35.4 yuan/mtu, prices up WoW from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate, 38.9-39.4 yuan/mtu, prices up WoW from last Friday; Gabon ore, 44.3-44.9 yuan/mtu, prices up WoW from last Friday; 46% Australian lumps, 44.9-45.4 yuan/mtu, prices up WoW from last Friday. South China ports: South African high-grade ore, 33-33.5 yuan/mtu, prices flat WoW from last Friday; South African semi-carbonate, 35.9-36.4 yuan/mtu, prices up WoW from last Friday; Gabon ore, 42-42.5 yuan/mtu, prices flat WoW from last Friday; 46% Australian lumps, 43.4-43.9 yuan/mtu, prices flat WoW from last Friday.

[SMM Analysis: SiMn Alloy Market Review for 2024 and Outlook for 2025] I. Price Aspect: In 2024, the annual average price of SiMn alloy 65/17 in Inner Mongolia was 6,541.32 yuan/mt, down 5.07% YoY; in Guangxi, the annual average price was 6,660.74 yuan/mt, down 4.69% YoY. From the quarterly price review: 2024 Q1: Supply side, the reduction caused by power rationing or maintenance in north China recovered, but SiMn alloy production fell short of expectations. However, due to relatively high social inventory levels, SiMn alloy supply remained sufficient. Demand side, as steel mills had sufficient stockpiling of SiMn alloy and resumed production at a slow pace after the holiday, downstream steel mills showed weak demand and low enthusiasm for purchasing SiMn alloy, leading to a decline in SiMn alloy prices in Q1. 2024 Q2: Due to disruptions in mine shipments and other news, miners showed strong sentiment to stand firm on quotes, and manganese ore spot prices rose significantly. With strong cost support, SiMn alloy spot prices surged rapidly. Supply side, SiMn alloy plants with pre-stocked manganese ore resumed production, and SiMn alloy production increased month by month. Demand side, downstream steel mills entered the traditional "golden March and silver April" peak demand season, boosting their purchasing enthusiasm for SiMn alloy. Supported by cost-driven factors and recovering demand from downstream steel mills, SiMn alloy spot prices continued to rise.

【SMM Analysis: SiMn Alloy Production Increased MoM in March, Expected to Decrease Slightly in April】SMM data shows that China's total SiMn alloy production in March 2025 increased by over 4% MoM, but decreased by over 7% YoY. The main reasons for the increase in SiMn alloy production in March were the maintained high operating rates in regions with relatively cost advantages, such as Inner Mongolia and Ningxia, while SiMn alloy plants in other parts of north China basically maintained normal production, with relatively small daily production fluctuations. In addition, affected by the continuous rise in manganese ore prices in south China, raw material costs increased, and SiMn alloy plants still faced significant production resistance. The daily production of some SiMn alloy plants decreased slightly, but due to the increase in calendar days in March compared to February, the overall SiMn alloy production in March increased slightly. In April, most SiMn alloy plants face a shortage of manganese ore inventory, with spot manganese ore prices at a relatively high level. SiMn alloy plants are severely affected by losses, and both north and south China have plans to reduce or halt production. In addition, the current inventory of SiMn alloy is at a relatively high level, and the growth of SiMn alloy production remains under pressure. Therefore, the overall SiMn alloy production in April is expected to turn to a decrease.

【SMM SiMn Steel Mill Tender Update】 HBIS Group set the April SiMn price at 5,950 yuan/mt, with the first round inquiry at 5,900 yuan/mt. The March SiMn price was 6,400 yuan/mt. (The April 2024 price was 6,000 yuan/mt). The April SiMn procurement volume was 11,400 mt. The March procurement volume was 11,000 mt.