SHANGHAI, Aug 14 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 58.2% in the week ended August 14, up 4.07 percentage points from the previous week, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rate in Henan gained 15.8 percentage points on the week to 70.2% as local battery scrap shortages eased.

The average operating rate in Jiangsu rose 6.6 percentage points from the prior week to 73.3% as smelters ramped up production for a high season.

Continued environmental inspections and equipment issues dragged on the average operating rate for Guizhou by 3.7 percentage points to 44%.

The average operating rate in remained unchanged at 48.4% in Anhui.

Operating rates are expected to extend gains next week as smelters in Anhui and Guizhou will start to step up production.