DLA sales volumes fall in May

The Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) sold 63pc less ferro-chrome and tungsten ores and concentrates in May than a year earlier.

The US defense department's procurement agency sold $3.37mn of tungsten ores in May, down from $9.12mn in both ferro-chrome and tungsten sales a year earlier.

The DLA sold no ferro-chrome in May, down from 2,038 short tons (st) that was valued at $4.03mn from the prior year.

Tungsten ore and concentrate volumes fell by 63pc to 201,000lb by content and accounted for all of the $3.37mn in monthly sales. The sale was made to a single unnamed company.

During the first five months of the year, sales volumes of tungsten ores and concentrates declined by 25pc to 1.37mn lbs by content from a year earlier. Sales of high-carbon and low-carbon ferro-chrome declined by 46pc to 3,582st, while chrome metal sales fell by 74pc to 13st.