China's zinc smelters see lower operating rates in December

Published: Jan 9, 2018 11:13

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The operating rates at zinc smelters in December dropped 4.16 percentage points from the previous month with companies of all sizes seeing declines.

SHANGHAI, Jan 9 (SMM)－ The operating rates at zinc smelters in December dropped 4.16 percentage points from the previous month with companies of all sizes seeing declines.

Even though some smelters have come out of their maintenance schedules and Hunan Kingstone Mining has resumed its production, overall output was down over 20,000 mt from November, according to SMM research.

Shorter supply of zinc ore and dry season have led to lower production at smelters. In addition, the ongoing environmental inspection in Huayuan county in Hunan saw smelters stop or cut output.

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zinc operating rate

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