Manganese-USGSMinerals.pdfVIP

MANGANESE By Thomas S. Jones Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Jesse J. Inestroza, statistical assistant, and the world production tables were prepared by Glenn J. Wallace, international data coordinator. Manganese (Mn) is essential to iron and steel production by internationally for metallurgical-grade ore; and, for imported virtue of its sulfur-fixing, deoxidizing, and alloying properties. ferroalloys on a year-average basis, 6% for high-carbon Steelmaking, including its ironmaking component, has ferromanganese, 23% for medium-carbon ferromanganese, and accounted for most domestic manganese demand, presently in 8% for silicomanganese. In 2000, ferroalloy prices were at the range of 85% to 90% of the total demand. Among a variety their highest in the first half of the year. Sales of manganese of other uses, manganese is a key component of certain widely materials from the Government’s National Defense Stockpile used aluminum alloys and is used in oxide form in dry cell reduced the Government’s inventory of manganese by about batteries. The overall level and nature of manganese use in the another 5%, leaving an inventory about 1.5 times annual United States is expected to remain about the same in the near domestic consumption. The larger disposals were of high- term. No practical technologies exist for replacing manganese carbon ferromanganese and metallurgical-grade ore. with other materials nor for utilizing domestic deposits or other World production of manganese ore was estimated to have accumulations in order to reduce the complete dependence of the increased about 11% (contained weight) in comparison with United States on foreign countries for manganese ore. that for 1999. (See tab