Tungsten concentrate quoted high
2005-04-30 09:32:51 【Print】
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 30 Apr 05 – Currently, tungsten concentrate is quoted higher than RMB120,000/t, some market participants reported to Asian Metal today.
“Tungsten concentrate suppliers even quote over RMB125,000/t now,” a major South China-based tungsten smelter reported to Asian Metal today. “Due to the serious shortage of tungsten concentrate, we can’t purchase tungsten concentrate even for RMB125,000/t.”
The smelter mainly produces tungsten APT and tungsten powder, mostly consumed by itself for cemented carbide production.
The smelter heard of that some tungsten smelters quote RMB190,000/t for tungsten APT domestically. “If foreign buyers enquire about tungsten powder, we quote at least RMB300/kg,” said the source.
Concerning tungsten powder, the smelter's current monthly output is only half of its production capacity of 160tpm. “We’ve planned some maintenance for our APT production facilities during the May Day holiday,” said the source, adding that current stockpiles can maintain tungsten powder production for about ten days.
A spokesperson for a major ferrotungsten smelter said, “Tungsten concentrate prices are quoted over RMB120,000/t at present. That’s too high for us.” The source added that concluded prices for ferrotungsten are around USD35/kg W.
Furthermore, tungsten APT export prices are around USD250/mtu, according to the source.
