China to Accelerate Consolidation of Lead & Zinc Mines in 2015

SHANGHAI, Jan. 26 (SMM) - The level of concentration in China’s lead and zinc mining industry is expected to improve at a faster pace in 2015, Shanghai Metals Market foresees. 

The Notice Regarding Legal Consolidations of Metal and Non-Metal Mines, jointly released by the State Council’s General Office and the State Administration of Work Safety in 2011, inaugurated four years of mine inspections from 2012 on. 

Following several years of mine inspections and implementation of the new Production Safety Law and Environmental Protection Law, the integration of lead and zinc mining industry will be accelerated.

The Ministry of Land & Resources reports that China had 1,632 lead and zinc mines as of late 2013, up 17 from 2012.

The number of China’s large lead and zinc mines rose to 18 in 2013, up 6 from 2012’s, 89 for medium-size mines in 2013, up 14 from the same period, while the proportion of small mines fell from 2012’s 58.4% to 57.6% in 2013.