SHANGHAI, Nov. 13 (SMM) -TCs of domestic zinc concentrate (50%) stabilized at 5,300-5,500 yuan per tonne (zinc content) this past week, according to SMM data.

There were mines in Inner Mongolia and other regions suspending production due to low temperatures, SMM understands. But some mines that had been holding back goods sold to generate cash, despite sluggish zinc prices, leaving supply stable. Zinc smelters lacked interest in building stocks, and some smelters plan to raise domestic zinc concentrate TCs.

Domestic zinc concentrate TCs are expected to remain steady in the near term, says an SMM zinc analyst. Although zinc smelters are unwilling to purchase ore, mines will unlikely raise TCs given low zinc prices.

TCs of imported zinc concentrate (50%) were stable at $180-200 per dry metric tonne (DMT) this week. Profit from imported zinc concentrate expanded 10 yuan to 580 yuan per tonne (zinc content) above domestic ore, SMM calculates. Nevertheless, trading was quiet for imported ore. 

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