Resumption raises operating rates at primary lead smelters on week

SHANGHAI, Dec 14 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 58.9% in the week through December 14, up 4.5 percentage points from the previous week, SMM data showed.

Smelters in Henan operated 4.2 percentage points higher this week, at 81.1%, as a local large smelter resumed operation after maintenance.

Average operating rates across smelters in Yunnan gained 10.4 percentage points to 37% as a major smelter ended industrial testing and returned to regular production. 

Primary smelters in Hunan kept operating rates at 40.5% this week.