Secondary lead smelters operating rates declined on output cuts

SHANGHAI, Dec 31 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou averaged 46% in the week ended December 31, down 1.6 percentage points from the previous week, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rates remained unchanged on the week at 47.1% and 33.3% in Anhui and Jiangsu respectively. 

The average operating rate in Henan dropped 7.2 percentage points to 63.6% as Jinli reduced production due to equipment breakdown.

The average operating rate in Guizhou lost 1.9 percentage points to 43.2% as Jinlong cut output on environmental concerns while Cengxiang slightly stepped up production in order to fulfill annual production targets. 

SMM learned that secondary lead smelters basically operated normally during the New Year’s holiday. Operating rates are expected to rise slightly next week as Jinli’s equipment has returned to normal.