SHAGNHAI, Oct. 10 (SMM) --

Lead Concentrate
According to the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA), China’s lead concentrate output in August was 199.2 kt, up 1.97% MoM. The YTD output through August reached 1.39 million mt, up 18.84% YoY.

Lead concentrate output in Inner Mongolia and Sichuan provinces, two major production regions in China, fell slightly in August on a monthly basis, while production in Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Yunnan provinces all rose during the same period, especially in Yunnan province, where lead concentrate output reached 10.1 kt in August, up 48.28% MoM. After environmental protection inspections were completed, mine operators in the local area resumed production, improving output significantly. In general, domestic lead concentrate output was stable during August.

Refined Lead

According to CNIA, China’s refined lead output was 385.2 kt in August, up 10.95% MoM. YTD output through August hit 2.97 million mt, up 16.17% YoY.

Refined lead output in Henan fell to 77.5 kt, down 13% MoM on a monthly basis, but output in Anhui province grew significantly, up to 76.2 kt and 30 kt higher from July. This increase in output was due largely to the resumption of production at local primary and secondary lead producers. Production in Yunnan province also experienced significant increases after environmental protection inspections were completed in July, with output in August rising to 46.9 kt, up 38% MoM.

Output in Guangxi and Hunan provinces during August was down over 10% MoM, due largely to power shortages. Refined lead production in other regions was little changed and in general, domestic lead smelters reported stable production in August.