Primary lead smelters operating rates fell to 54.1% this week

Published: Jan 15, 2021 17:46
Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces lost 3.6 percentage points from the previous week to 54.1% in the week ended January 15, showed an SMM survey.

SHANGHAI, Jan 15 (SMM) — Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces lost 3.6 percentage points from the previous week to 54.1% in the week ended January 15, showed an SMM survey.

The average operating rate dropped 7.1 percentage points to 63.7% in Henan as Henan Minshan completely suspended production for maintenance. Henan Shibin is expected to resume production next week.

The average operating rates remained unchanged at 51.1% and 35.2% in Hunan and Yunnan respectively.

Although transportation of raw materials and finished products was affected in Yunnan and Henan due to COVID-induced restrictions, it had little impact on production.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
[SMM Analysis] Detailed Data on China's Sulphuric Acid Production in August
15 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] Detailed Data on China's Sulphuric Acid Production in August
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Detailed Data on China's Sulphuric Acid Production in August
[SMM Analysis] Detailed Data on China's Sulphuric Acid Production in August
NBS data shows that China's sulphuric acid (100% equivalent) production in August was 7.984 million mt, down 308,000 mt from 7.676 million mt in July, a YoY decline of 15.5%. The cumulative production of sulphuric acid (100% equivalent) in 2026 was 68.141 million mt, a cumulative YoY decline of 4.6%.
15 hours ago
August lead concentrate imports pulled back, with limited recovery expected in September [SMM Analysis]
18 hours ago
August lead concentrate imports pulled back, with limited recovery expected in September [SMM Analysis]
Read More
August lead concentrate imports pulled back, with limited recovery expected in September [SMM Analysis]
August lead concentrate imports pulled back, with limited recovery expected in September [SMM Analysis]
[Lead Concentrate Imports Pull Back in August, Limited Recovery Expected in September] According to the latest customs data, China imported 87,000 mt in physical content of lead concentrates in August 2026, down 28,200 mt in physical content or 24.44% MoM and down 35.35% YoY. Cumulative lead concentrate imports from January to August totaled 906,300 mt in physical content, down 2.3% YoY.
18 hours ago
[SMM Flash] Sulphuric acid prices in some regions dropping below 1,000 yuan/mt
20 hours ago
[SMM Flash] Sulphuric acid prices in some regions dropping below 1,000 yuan/mt
Read More
[SMM Flash] Sulphuric acid prices in some regions dropping below 1,000 yuan/mt
[SMM Flash] Sulphuric acid prices in some regions dropping below 1,000 yuan/mt
Since 10 July, SMM Chinese sulfuric acid price index from Copper smelters has declined for 11 consecutive weeks on a weekly basis. This weekend, sulphuric acid prices were further reduced in some regions, with the ex-works price of 98% smelting acid falling below 1,000 yuan/mt. However, demand from the fertiliser industry has yet to show any clear improvement, and there are no signs that exports of sulphuric acid and phosphate fertiliser can be restarted, leaving the market dominated by a strong wait-and-see sentiment.
20 hours ago