Although 2021 copper concentrate benchmark TCs recorded a new low since 2011 amid low spot TCs and uncertainties of COVID-19, SMM estimates that copper concentrate output is expected to increase by 1.44 million mt in 2021

Domestic nickel sulphate output in October stood at 17,000 mt of Ni content, and 77,400 mt of physical content, up 22.62% on the month and 45.43% year on year.

China’s copper cathode output increased month on month in October, as there was basically no maintenance at smelters and as large-scale smelters maintained high production in Q4. Although domestic copper scrap was in short supply in October, smelters kept relatively ample stocks of blister copper. Furthermore, as the new secondary copper policy took effect from November 1, concerns over copper scrap supply were eased.

China's refined zinc output stood at 569,200 mt in October, rising 19,700 mt or up 3.59% on month and up 7.56% on year.

China's refined zinc output stood at 549,500 mt in September, rising 40,500 or up 7.95% on month and up 6.57% on year.

China's copper cathode output was largely unchanged month on month in September, staying at high levels, as some large-scale smelters stepped up production in order to fulfill annual output targets and imports of copper concentrate rebounded significantly. However, output at smelters that use copper scrap as raw materials slid on the month as the price spread between copper cathode and copper scrap narrowed as domestic copper scrap supply tightened.

SMM data showed that China produced 285,000 mt of primary lead in August, up 9.99% from July, and up 12.01% from a year ago.

China’s primary lead output ended its four-month increases and fell by more than 10,000 mt in July as primary lead smelters, including Yunnan Chihong, Jiangxi Copper, Hunan Shuikoushan and Jingui, undertook routine maintenance. Besides, equipment breakdown across some smelters in Henan, Jiangxi and Yunnan further weighed on July output.

Most steelmakers in China continued to maintain full operations and the impact of maintenance on output will further reduce from a month ago in June, driven by existing profits of rebar.

Output of cold-rolled steel (including galvanised steel) at Benxi Iron & Steel is expected to reduce 158,000 mt in May as the steelmaker plans to put a cold rolling mill into maintenance this month, sources told SMM.