LONDON, Sep 14, 2011 (Dow Jones) -- The global refined zinc market was in surplus by 237,000 metric tons in the first seven months of the year, the International Lead and Zinc Study Group said Wednesday.

The gap was greater than the 140,000-ton surplus in the same period a year before, the ILZSG said.

In January to July, total production reached 7.511 million tons of refined zinc, while consumption was recorded at 7.274 million tons, it said.