SHANGHAI, Jun. 23 (SMM) – Domestic zinc concentrate TCs are expected to fall precipitously in the near term due to ore supply tightness, SMM says.

SMM understands some zinc smelters in South China lowered TCs of domestic zinc concentrate further. TCs in North China remained largely unchanged this past week. Mines were actively producing and selling because of high zinc prices. Ore output in Sichuan’s Jinyang County was lower than the same period of years past, restricting production at local beneficiation plants.

Losses from imported ore remained at 1,500 yuan per tonne (zinc content) compared with domestic ore this past week, SMM calculates. Trading was rarely made due to low TCs of imported zinc concentrate.

TCs of domestic zinc concentrate (50%) were 4,900-5,100 yuan per tonne (zinc content) this past week, and those for imported zinc concentrate (50%) were $90-120 per dry metric tonne (DMT), with quotes below $100 increasing.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn.