Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов (Apr 2020)
CRITICAL COMMODITY FLOWS OF MANGANESE RAW MATERIALS IN RUSSIA
Abstract
The relevance of the work is caused by the need to study the problem of import dependence of Russia on manganese raw materials. The aim of the research is to study the dynamics of commodity flows (production, import, export, consumption) of manganese products (ores and concentrates, ferromanganese, silicomanganese and manganese metal); development of recommendations to optimize the turnover of manganese products. Methods: statistical, graphic, logical. Results. Manganese products are one of the most mass import-dependent goods in Russia.More than 1,6 million tons, which is 72% of their consumption,were imported in 2018.Import dependence on manganese ores as of 2018 is 100% of consumption (1,3 million tons were imported), silica manganese – 46% (import is 192 thousand tons), manganese metal – 100% (import is 68 thousand tons) and ferromanganese – 10% (import is 21 thousand tons). Consumption of manganese concentrate increased from 285 thousand tons in 1996 to 1,3 million tons in 2018 (+7,2%/year). In near future, the ferrous metallurgy of Russia will not be able to do without the import of manganese concentrate. Serious regulation of imports of manganese concentrate from Kazakhstan, South Africa and Gabon is required, as well as Russian investments in foreign manganese mining and ferroalloy companies. National consumption of silica manganese increased from 170 thousand tons in 1998 to 455 thousand tons in 2017 (+5,3%/ year), and production increased from 50 to 355 thousand tons/year (+6,5%/year). Import volumes of silicomanganese remain at the same level – 170–190 thousand tons/year, although in 2003–2008 import volumes were 310–435 thousand tons/year. The reduced imports from Ukraine were replaced by supplies from Georgia, Kazakhstan and Norway. National consumption of ferromanganese increased slightly – from 193 thousand tons in 1996 to 262 thousand tons in 2017 (+0,6%/year), and production volumes increased sharply from 50 to 260 thousand tons/year (+6,5%/year). The volume of imports of ferromanganese at the same time seriously decreased from 130 to 21 thousand tons/year (–3,9%/year). Ferromanganese came out of full import dependence in import-independent category. The demand for a new commodity product – metallic manganese occurred. Its consumption increased from 0,3 thousand tons in 1996 to 68 thousand tons in 2018 (+12,2%/year). In the context of total imports of manganese ferro-alloys the phenomenon of counter import-export trade (export to 63 thousand tons/year of ferromanganese and to 133 thousand t/year of silicomanganese), until the formation of the direction of net exports of ferromanganese (to 41 thousand tons/year of ferromanganese)appeared.
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