Lead Price to Fluctuate at High Levels (2017-9-1)

Semtech said in its Aug. 25 earnings presentation that its data-center photonics portfolio spans gain chips, high-power CW lasers, SOAs and high-speed photodiodes, while it has secured FY2027 equipment deliveries and acquired additional cleanroom space. Semtech acquired HieFo in March, adding US-based InP gain-chip and DFB-laser manufacturing. Q2 FY2027 data-center sales reached $100 million, up 39% QoQ and 91% YoY; Q3 sales are targeted to rise 45% QoQ and 160% YoY. SMM believes the buildout supports medium-term demand for InP and high-purity indium, although no nameplate capacity or indium consumption was disclosed.

Bunker Hill said on October 5 that its Idaho zinc-lead-silver mine remained on track to achieve commercial production by year-end 2026. The revised criteria require throughput of at least 65% of the plant’s 1,800-tonne-per-day nameplate capacity, alongside zinc, lead and silver recoveries of at least 70%, for 60 consecutive days. A 10-hole, 975-metre surface drilling programme has also started at Page.

BMC Minerals reported on October 5 that polymetallic mineralisation at the Rhyolite Peak target within its Kudz Ze Kayah project in Yukon, Canada, had been further extended. Rhyolite Peak is a silver-zinc-gold-copper-lead exploration target located near the proposed ABM mine. The update remains an exploration-stage drilling development and does not constitute a new Mineral Resource, Ore Reserve or production change.