SHANGHAI, Mar. 1 (SMM) – As the debate on whether or not Yunnan Aluminum should commence aluminum project in Yunnan's Lijiang is becoming fiercer, people pay more attention to pollution in the nonferrous metals industry, especially heavy metal pollution.

Research shows that nonferrous metal smelting industry discharges around 106,000 mt of arsenic every year, with the copper smelting industry accounting for more than 80% of the total emission, and lead smelting industry around 6.4%.

According to China Customs, China's lead concentrate imports were 135,400 mt in January 2013, up 16.92% MoM and 53.26% YoY, and due mainly to the following two reasons. First, smelters replenished stocks for the Chinese New Year holiday. Second, lead concentrate imports during December were low, resulting in a considerable increase in January.

On the rare earth side, Ganzhou city will continue exploring rare earth resources actively this year, and endeavor to commence the first batch of 5 rare earth mining areas and turn 2 prospecting rights in Shanghuangwan, Longnan county and Gaohutang, Dingnan county to mining rights.

Concerning market movement, the deadline for the US automatic spending cut will take place on March 1, and markets expect two political parties will reach an agreement at the last moment. However, SMM holds the view that the agreement will still foresee a drop in future base metals demand.