Western Mining Company Adjusts 2H08 Production Plan

SHANGHAI Aug. 01 (CBI China)--Western Mining Company Limited published its semi-annual report and outlined its plan to adjust production  in 2H08. 

    Western Mining arranged to reduce lead production and temporarily shut down lead smelters due to declining lead prices, and narrowing profit margins from higher production costs. 

    Western Mining's. Baojing branch in Hunan province shut down its 10kt/yr zinc unit for maintenance due to the unstable supply of zinc concentrate.  Production of electrolytic manganese will be affected by the unit maintenance. 

    The Western Mining adjusted production plan for 2008 also includes reduction in output of crude and electrolytic lead, which will be reduced from 65 kt to 35.3 kt, electrolytic zinc from 70 kt to 54.3 kt, and electrolytic manganese from 15 kt to 10.7 kt.  

    Company sources report the company's main product was concentrate ores, and adjustments in production  were aimed to reduce related production and operating costs through production cuts and suspension of output at lead smelters.