Recent Developments

Extensive Use of Selenium in Chinese Manganese Metal Production Confirmed

The metals industry newsletter Metals Bulletin reports that Chinese selenium prices have climbed in recent weeks due to strong demand by manganese metal producers.  Production of manganese flake is one of the largest end uses for selenium in China, where the selenium is used as a catalyst in the electrochemical refining of manganese metal.

According to the article, China’s domestic production of selenium is small and the country relies on imports to support its huge manganese and glass production.  China imported 514 metric tons (one metric ton equals 1000 kilograms or 2200 lb) of selenium in the first quarter 2007, more than double the 209 metric tons imported in the corresponding period a year ago, according to official statistics.

For more information, please see “Chinese selenium prices rise on manganese boom,” a 17 May 2007 update from the Metals Bulletin (link to Metals Bulletin website: http://www1.metalbulletin.com/index.asp).