India: Sandur manganese auction highlights healthy market appetite

• 68% of offered volume secures successful bids
  
  
• Buying interest focused on Mn 18-20% grade ore
  
  

On 12 February 2026, Sandur Manganese and Iron Ore (SMIORE) held an auction offering 9,576 t of manganese ore, comprising both fines and lumps. The material featured manganese grades ranging from 18% to 35%, with sizes between -10 mm and 100 mm. The auction witnessed strong participation, with approximately 6,552 t (around 68%) successfully sold, while 3,024 t remained unsold. Buying interest was largely focused on Mn 18-20% grade ore, with eight lots receiving confirmed bids.

Bidding activity remain largely steady w-o-w

Bids remained mostly steady in the auction concluded on 12 February compared with the previous auction on 5 February. The weighted average bid for lumps with Mn18-20% content settled at INR 3,353/t ($37/t), marking a slight 3% rise from INR 3,244/t ($36/t) in the earlier auction.

Meanwhile, bids for ore with Mn26-28%, 28-30%, 32-34% and 34-35% grade remained unchanged over the same period.

Meanwhile, BigMint's assessment for silico manganese (60-14) prices in Vizag edged up by 1% w-o-w to INR 73,600/t ($811/t) on 12 February compared to INR 73,200/t ($807/t) on 5 February.