Primary lead smelters operating rates steadied on week

SHANGHAI, May 29 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 52.3% in the week ended May 29, unchanged from the week before, showed an SMM survey.

The respective rates for Henan, Hunan and Yunnan stood at 63.8%, 45% and 33.6%, all flat from the previous week.

With stable operations, inventories of finished goods at primary lead smelters are growing due to sluggish consumption.

Yunnan Chihong put its smelting stage under maintenance starting May 20, and its production of refined lead is expected to feel the impact in June to July.