Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight

HS code 260200 covers manganese ores and concentrates, which are essential raw materials for the steel industry. Manganese is a critical alloying element that enhances the strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance of steel. As such, the global demand for manganese ores and concentrates is closely tied to the performance of the steel industry and broader economic activity. This code is of significant importance, as manganese is considered a strategic mineral with applications across various industries.

Manganese ores and concentrates are typically extracted from open-pit or underground mines. The ore is then crushed, screened, and beneficiated to increase the manganese content. Common beneficiation techniques include gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation. The concentrated manganese ore is then dried, agglomerated, and sometimes sintered before being transported to steel mills and other consumers.

The primary inputs for the production of manganese ores and concentrates are the raw manganese-bearing mineral deposits. Mining equipment, such as excavators, crushers, and screening plants, are also essential inputs. Energy sources, such as electricity and fuel, are required to power the mining and beneficiation processes. Additionally, water is used for various processing steps, and labor is needed to operate the mining and processing facilities.

The main output of HS code 260200 is manganese ores and concentrates, which are then consumed by the 720110 Pig iron and 720211 Ferromanganese industries. Manganese ores and concentrates are also used in the production of 283700 Manganese oxides, which have applications in the chemical, battery, and ceramic industries.