China Lead Concentrate Imports up 4.73% MoM in May 2015

SHANGHAI, Jul. 1 (SMM) - China Customs reported that China imported 133,000 mt of lead concentrate in May 2015, up 4.73% MoM, but down 5.27% YoY. The imports volume was not high in May.

SMM estimates that April’s imports suffered a loss of RMB 400/mt (Pb content) versus domestic concentrate, which was unfavorable to importing.

Only three smelters increased purchase for imports while other five smelters cut purchase. Yuteng Nonferrous Metals rose 4,000 mt MoM to 20,000 mt, up 1,000 mt to 2,000 mt for Anyang Minshan Nonferrous Metals Co. and up to 3,000 mt for Zhuzhou Smelter Group. The imports were 11,000 mt, 9,000 mt, 2,000 mt and 1,000 mt for Shandong Humon Smelting Co., Henan Jinli Gold and Lead Co., Hechi Nanfang Nonferrous Metals Group and Guangxi’s Chengyuan Nonferrous, respectively, down 2,000 mt, 1,000 mt, 2,000 mt and 5,000 mt MoM. Jingui Silver Co. also cut imports to 8,000 mt.

There were 27,000 mt lead concentrate imported from goods at bonded warehouses and goods in bonded areas (including pilot areas under customs supervision).

China imported concentrate from 29 countries. The US supplied 22,000 mt, up 7,000 mt MoM in May, acting as the top one supplier, which was followed by Germany, South Africa, Russia, Peru and Korea with imports all over 10,000 mt.

China imported lead ore totaling 664,000 mt during the first five months 2015, up 5.86% YoY.