1. Report Industry Investment Rating - There is no information about the report industry investment rating in the provided content. 2. Core Viewpoints - The strategic importance of manganese ore resources is increasingly prominent, but the silicon - manganese industry is in a supply - demand dilemma. The supply disturbances of major manganese ore exporters, fluctuations in shipping costs, and geopolitical risks may drive up ore prices, providing rigid support for silicon - manganese from the cost side. However, the silicon - manganese industry has over - capacity and weak downstream demand, eroding industry profits. The resolution of the industrial chain contradictions requires proactive adjustments on the supply side and industry self - discipline [2][15]. - Manganese ore resources are highly concentrated, with low - grade ores in China. In 2025, the global manganese metal equivalent reserves are about 1.8 billion tons, mainly concentrated in South Africa, Australia, Brazil, and China. China's manganese ore has low overall quality and low grade [3][16][75]. - China has a high degree of dependence on manganese ore imports, and some countries are tightening export controls. In 2025, China's manganese ore imports reached 32.84 million tons, a 9.7% increase from 2024. South Africa, Australia, Gabon, and Ghana are the main suppliers, but these countries are expected to introduce export restrictions [4][29][76]. - The production of major manganese mines shows differentiation, with a slight overall increase. From the fourth quarter of 2025 to early 2026, South32's Australian mine resumed production smoothly, Comilog was restricted by transportation bottlenecks, and Tshipi maintained stable operations [5][54][77]. - The manganese ore inventory at ports has increased, but the supply - demand contradiction of alloy enterprises still exists. In 2025, China's manganese ore imports increased significantly, leading to an increase in port inventory. However, alloy enterprises still face great pressure, with low silicon - manganese operating rates and low weekly output [6][62][78]. 3. Summary According to the Directory 3.1 Manganese Resource Concentration and Low - Grade Ores in China - In 2025, the global manganese metal equivalent reserves are about 1.8 billion tons, with 92% concentrated in South Africa (30%), Australia (32%), Brazil (16%), and China (14%). In terms of production, South Africa, Gabon, and Australia are the main producers, accounting for 68% of the global total in 2025. China's manganese ore has small - scale deposits, low overall quality, and an average manganese grade of only 14%, much lower than that of major exporting countries [16][27][75]. - Since 2016, the global manganese metal equivalent production has been rising steadily, stabilizing at around 20 million tons per year since 2019. In 2025, South Africa produced 7.6 million tons, Gabon 5 million tons, and Australia 1.6 million tons. China's manganese metal equivalent production has been declining since reaching a peak of 3 million tons in 2014, mainly due to low ore prices, low domestic ore grades, and strict environmental policies [21][27]. 3.2 High Dependence on Manganese Ore Imports and Tightening Export Controls in Some Countries - China's dependence on manganese ore imports exceeds 90%. In 2025, imports reached 32.84 million tons, a 9.7% increase from 2024. South Africa, Australia, Gabon, and Ghana are the main suppliers, accounting for 91.7% of the total imports [29][33]. - South Africa, Gabon, and Ghana are expected to introduce manganese ore export restrictions. South Africa plans to levy export tariffs, Gabon will ban raw ore exports from 2029, and Ghana plans to stop raw ore exports before 2030. These policies will intensify the supply - tightening expectation [50]. - Some manganese mines are facing resource depletion, such as the OMM manganese mine and the Groote Eylandt mine of South32 [51]. 3.3 Differentiated Production of Major Manganese Mines with a Slight Overall Increase - From the fourth quarter of 2025 to early 2026, South32's Australian mine resumed production smoothly, with a production of 1.363 million tons in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 21.26% year - on - year increase. The 2026 production target is 3.2 million tons. The South African mine's production in the first half of the 2026 fiscal year was 1.06 million tons, with an annual production guidance of 2 million tons [54]. - Jupiter - Tshipi produced about 830,000 tons of manganese ore in the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, with a total output of 1.7 million tons in the first half of the year. The FOB production cost has dropped to $2.25 - 2.27 per dry ton degree [56]. - Comilog produced 1.68 million tons of manganese ore in the fourth quarter of 2025, with an annual cumulative output of 7.103 million tons (a 4.4% year - on - year increase). However, transportation problems in Gabon restrict the shipping volume, and the 2026 transportation target is 6.4 - 6.8 million tons [60]. 3.4 Increased Manganese Ore Inventory at Ports and Persistent Supply - Demand Contradiction of Alloy Enterprises - In 2025, China's manganese ore imports increased significantly, leading to an increase in port inventory. As of late March, the total manganese ore inventory at ports was 4.745 million tons, 1 million tons higher than the same period in 2025, but still at a relatively low level in the same period of the past five years [62][65]. - The manganese ore inventory days of alloy plants have decreased, but the inventory is still relatively healthy. After the price increase in early March, the processing profit of alloy plants has improved, and the production willingness is increasing [66]. - The silicon - manganese industry has over - capacity and weak downstream demand. The supply - demand imbalance has led to high social inventory, price pressure, and squeezed industry profits. The silicon - manganese operating rate has been low, and the weekly output is at a five - year low [72]. 3.5 Conclusion - The conclusion reiterates the above - mentioned points, including high resource concentration, high import dependence, differentiated mine production, increased port inventory, and persistent supply - demand contradictions in the alloy industry [75][76][77][78]. - The strategy suggests continuously monitoring manganese ore shipments and inventory changes and being cautious about price fluctuations of manganese ore and silicon - manganese [7][79].