SHANGHAI, Jul. 3 (SMM) – TCs for Chinese lead concentrate are expected to rise as more imports flowed into domestic market, SMM estimates.

Imported concentrate can make profits of about 1,200 yuan per tonne (Pb content), compared with domestic material. Thus, fat profits encouraged more imports, driving concentrate availability up in domestic market, which will allow smelters to hike TCs, SMM understands.

Some ore suppliers are reluctant to sell owing to tumbling silver prices with liquidity pressures eased slightly early Q3. But TCs for concentrate at some smelters have already grown modestly in Henan and Hunan, SMM survey learns.

Mainstream TCs for domestic concentrate (Pb 50%) were 1,800-2,000 yuan per tonne (Pb content) this week. TCs for imported concentrate (Pb 60%, Ag < 1,000 g) held stably at $175-185 per dry metric tonne, with some offers as high as $190 per dry metric tonne.

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