China Zinc Concentrate TCs Stable in January, with TCs of Imported Ore Down

SHANGHAI, Dec. 25 (SMM) - TCs of domestic zinc concentrate (50%) are stable at 5,300-5,400 yuan per tonne (zinc content) in January, and those for imported zinc concentrate (50%) fall $20 to $150-170 per dry metric tonne (DMT), according to SMM quotes December 25.

SMM learned some zinc mines in Inner Mongolia’s Chifeng plan to halt production in late December against the gloomy market. But this will give little effect on North China-based zinc smelters due to sufficient ore inventories on hand.

TCs of domestic zinc concentrate (50%) were stable at 5,300-5,500 yuan per tonne (zinc content) this past week, and those for imported zinc concentrate (50%) were $150-170 per dry metric tonne (DMT). Quotes at $140 increased, with $120 for high-Cu ore.

Profit from imported ore fell 280 yuan to 80 yuan per tonne above domestic ore, SMM calculates.

“Falling TCs of imported ore, combined with uncertainty over the market in 2016, grew a wait-and-see sentiment in the market.” said an SMM zinc analyst.

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