NEW YORK — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has voted to end anti-dumping duties on silicomanganese from Brazil.

But domestic sources are unsure of the possible impact of the ruling on the domestic market, as the absence of Brazilian material since duties were imposed in 1994 means that silicomanganese production capacities and costs in Brazil are not well known.

Two Brazilian companies, Simões Filho-based Cia. Paulista de Ferro-Ligas and Rio Doce Manganês SA, a subsidiary of Rio de Janeiro-based mining company Vale SA, will no longer face duties of 64.93 percent. Other Brazilian producers had faced a 17.6-percent duty.

The United States imported 71,400 tons of Brazilian silicomanganese in 1993, the year before the duties were imposed, according to the ITC.

As part of a five-year sunset review, the ITC voted to maintain duties of 150 percent on Chinese silicomanganese producers and 163 percent on Ukrainian producers.

"Revoking the existing anti-dumping duty orders on silicomanganese from China and Ukraine would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time," the ITC said.