LONDON, May 17, 2010 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- The global refined lead market was in a 42,000-metric-ton surplus January to March of this year, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group said Monday.

That compares with an 82,000-ton surplus in the same period in 2009.

Total production in the first three months of 2010 was 2.121 million tons and total consumption was 2.079 million tons.

The western world was in a 17,000-ton surplus January to March, ILZSG said.