SHANGHAI, Aug 2 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan grew this week, as major producer Yuguang Gold & Lead recovered from maintenance.

A ramp-up at Minshan smelter who resumed from maintenance last week also lifted the average operating rate across the region.

An SMM survey showed that the average operating rate across primary lead smelters in Henan rose 7.1 percentage points from the prior week to stand at 79.1% for the week ended August 2.

This raised the average rate across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan by 3 percentage points to 60.7%.

Equipment issues impacted production at a small smelter in Yunnan, lowering the average operating rate across the region by 3.2 percentage points to 39.1%, while the rate for Hunan remained unchanged at 43.4%.

Improved spot sales eased inventory pressure over smelters this week, which lowered offloading inclination among smelters as lead prices extended their declines.

With no planned maintenance, operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan are likely to hold stable next week.