Primary lead smelters operating rates extended increase on week

SHANGHAI, Mar 6 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 49.3% in the week ended March 6, up 2.7 percentage points from the prior week, showed an SMM survey. 

An increase in the capacity utilisation rates at Henan Shibin smelter and Henan Hongyang Lead lifted the average operating rate in Henan by 1.9 percentage points on the week to 61.6%. 

Operating rates in Hunan averaged 42%, up 2 percentage points on the week, on the back of higher capacity utilisation rates at Hunan Yuteng and Hunan Jinxin. 

Resumption of Yunnan Zhenxing smelter boosted the average operating rate in Yunnan by 5.9 percentage points, to 28.4% this week. 

For smelters in other areas, West Mining commenced maintenance this week that is scheduled to last about a month.