How does China's manganese nitride supply chain depend on imported manganese ore?

How does China's manganese nitride supply chain depend on imported manganese ore?
China's manganese nitride production is tightly linked to the broader manganese value chain, where ore import dependence exceeds 85%. Major overseas suppliers include South Africa, Gabon, and Australia. Recent supply-side pressures—geopolitical tensions raising shipping and insurance costs, plus higher inland trucking fees in South Africa—have pushed up ore prices, creating cost-push dynamics for domestic nitride producers. Downstream, steel demand remains the primary consumption driver, though rebar weakness has softened silico-manganese demand. Meanwhile, electrolytic manganese output grew over 20% year-on-year, supporting overall manganese demand. Producers in Hunan's Xiangxi region and Guangxi's Chongzuo cluster benefit from local ore access and integrated processing, giving them a cost edge in high-nitrogen manganese nitride production.