China Halves Target for Inefficient Capacity Elimination in Lead Smelting in 2014

SHANGHAI, Jul. 29 (SMM) – A total of 356,000-tpy outdated lead smelting capacity at 12 Chinese primary and secondary lead smelters will be phased out this year, down nearly a half from 2013’s 710,000-tpy plan, Shanghai Metals Market learnt.  

In accordance with the list released by China’s Ministry of Industry & Information Technology (MIIT), only one lead-related chemical company in Hunan Province, with annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes, is included in this year’s list. The Province, however, retired as much as 500,000-tpy lead smelting capacities last year. SMM learnt that it is difficult to purchase crude lead in Hunan this year, a reflection of the effect from 2013’s capacity elimination action in the region.