[SMM investigation] the start of recycled lead refineries is again hit by the shortage of reduced lead supply in Henan Province.

Domestic output of didymium oxide in January 2023 stood at 5,622 mt, up 9.5% MoM. Output increased across Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Jiangsu and Shandong to varying degrees.

China's magnesium powder output stood at 6,000 mt in January, down 2% MoM. YTD output through January totalled 6,000 mt.

SMM data showed that China’s industrial silicon output stood at 273,800 mt in January 2022, down 8.97% month-on-month, but up 10.44% year-on-year.

China produced 36,000 mt (Ni content) of NPI in January 2023, an increase of 2.47% month-on-month and 13.75% year-on-year. Affected by the Chinese New Year holidays in January, stainless steel mills carried out large-scale annual maintenance, so the demand for NPI was weak.

The 39 steel makers in China had planned to produce a total of 13.13 million mt of HRC in February,

mestic refined tin output in January was 11,990 mt, down 24.61% MoM and 11.77% YoY, and the combined output from January to December 2022 increased 0.42% YoY, according to SMM research. The actual output was slightly lower than expected.

The overall domestic copper cathode output in May was at a low level due to the intensive maintenance. Although two smelters in Shandong resumed production in May, the production of copper did not resume.

SMM data showed that China's high-carbon ferrochrome output rebounded in May, with a MoM increase of 6.48% to 591,500 mt, a YoY increase of 113,000 mt or 23.62%. The output in Inner Mongolia was 290,100 mt, a MoM increase of 27,900 mt or 10.64%.

China produced 54,750 mt of ternary cathode precursor in May, an increase of 4% month on month and 19% year on year.

China’s cobalt sulphate output stood at 4,642 mt in metal content in May, a month-on-month decrease of 29% and a year-on-year decrease of 9%.