SHANGHAI, Dec 31 (SMM) ― Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces lost 2 percentage points from the previous week to 57.5% in the week ended December 31, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rate dropped 3.7 percentage points to 70.7% in Henan as Henan Minshan reduced production and Shibin started a ten-day routine maintenance from December 30.

Further output cuts at Hunan Shuikoushan and Jinxin lowered local operating rate by 0.9 percentage point to 50.7%.

The average operating rate added 0.6 percentage point to 35.6% in Yunnan as Gejiu Chuangyuan continued to ramp up production. Yunnan Mengzi is expected to overhaul its refined lead lines next week. Lead concentrate supply was tight in Yunnan.