SHANGHAI, Dec. 8 (SMM) – China’s refined lead output stood at 322,100 mt in October, up 2.69% MoM, versus a total of 3.22 million mt during January-October, National Bureau of Statistics data showed.
Continuous rise in domestic concentrate TCs excited lead smelters to raise production and some smelters ramped up production for year’s target. Both factors helped October’s average operating rate up 4.71 percentage points MoM to 66.52% at domestic 47 major primary lead smelters.
In October, refined lead production fell to 102,000 mt and 14,000 mt in Henan and Jiangxi, respectively, down 3.6% and 23.6%. However, the production grew to 81,000 mt and 34,000 mt in Hunan and Yunnan, respectively, up 4.3% and 16%, all on MoM basis.
In Henan, Jiyuan Wanyang Smelting Group recovered normal production after China’s National Day holiday October 1-7. But production reduced at Henan Yuguang Gold & Lead due to technical reform. Overall production increased in Yunnan. Zhenxing Lead maintained steady operation after its 100,000-mt crude lead production line came online. Also, Hulun Buir Chihong Mining recovered operation with monthly production at 4,000 mt. In Hunan, two producers undertook maintenance, namely Guiyang Yinxing Nonferrous Metals and Jiangxi Copper.