LONDON, Apr 14 -- The global refined zinc market is expected to be in surplus by 200,000 metric tons in 2011, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group said Thursday.

The forecast gap is smaller than the 264,000-ton surplus in 2010.

Demand for refined zinc is forecast to increase by 6.3% to 13.4 million tons in 2011, while world production is expected to be 13.59 million tons, 5.6% higher than the year before, the ILZSG said.

This increase in production will be largely driven by heightened capacity in China, India and Peru, the ILZSG said.