SHANGHAI, Sep 6 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 58.6% in the week ended September 6, up 0.1 percentage point from the prior week, showed an SMM survey, as production increases were offset by losses from maintenance.

Yuguang Gold & Lead conducted maintenance this week, and that lowered the average operating rate across Henan by 0.6 percentage point to 78.5%.

Some primary lead smelters in Hunan stepped up production this week, with the average operating rate across the region rising 1.8 percentage points to 43.3%.

Smelters in Yunnan operated at an average rate of 30.2%, down 0.7 percentage point as maintenance countered production gains.