Primary lead smelters operating rates fell to 56.88%

SHANGHAI, Apr 23 (SMM) — Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces lost 4.4 percentage points from the previous week to 56.88% in the week ended April 23, showed an SMM survey.

Henan Yuguang was still under maintenance, and Jinli started maintenance from April 23, reducing daily output by about one third. Hunan Yuteng cut output slightly due to environmental inspections and shortages of raw materials, Chenzhou Xiongfeng’s refined lead lines remained suspended and did not plan to raise crude lead output recently, and Shuikoushan Jinxin reduced output slightly because of tight crude lead supply. Yunnan Gejiu Chuangyuan ramped up production slightly this week, but failed to reach full capacity as well due to the feedstock supply issue. Gejiu Tongfu returned to scheduled production.