Mumbai, December 18th (Argus) - Facing weak inquiries for chromite near the end of the year, the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) in India lowered the price of chromite ore in its December auction. OMC set the basic price of 48% to 49.99% ore from its South Kaliapani mine at 22,342 rupees per ton (equivalent to 247.33 US dollars per ton), lower than the 23,884 rupees per ton set in the November auction. In November, the company would no longer sell the 50-51.99% ore produced from its Sukrangi mine. In an auction in April, this grade was recently sold at 20,938 rupees per ton. On December 19th, the state trading company MSTC will represent OMC to supply 106,800 tons of 40-54% friable chromite ore from South Kalipani and Sukrangi. It will also supply 3,600 tons of 30-44% lump and flake ore from OMC's Bangur mine. On December 18th, the domestic factory price of 60# chromite in India dropped by 1,000 rupees per ton to 107,000-109,000 rupees per ton.
