SMM survey: Zinc upstream producers operated as usual while downstream producers postponed resumption

SHANGHAI, Jan 31 (SMM) – Manufacturing-type and population importing provinces (such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shanghai and Tianjin) required that enterprises except water, gas and electricity supply and communications sectors, medical apparatus, instruments and drug producers and supermarkets, food producers and suppliers to refrain from resuming production or operations until February 9, 24:00 CST in order to control the coronavirus outbreak.

As SMM surveyed, zinc concentrate mines and smelters operated as usual, and normal railway transportation ensured their deliveries during the Chinese New Year break. Most zinc downstream enterprises postponed resumption.

Large-scale galvanising structural part producers in Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Chongqing, die-cast zinc alloy producers in Guangdong and large zinc oxide producers in Shandong planned to resume after February 9. The General Office of the State Council announced on January 27 to extend Chinese New Year holiday to February 2.

Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Henan have launched level I emergency response, and some regions suspended inter-provincial and inter-urban transportation.