Primary lead smelters operating rates rose to 59% last week

SHANGHAI, Mar 1 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of primary lead in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan averaged 59% in the week ended February 26, up 4.6 percentage points from February 5, showed an SMM survey.

Henan Yuguang, Jinli, Wanyang, Shibin, and other sample plants with a total sample capacity of 3.62 million mt have increased their production capacity in 2021.

Production was resumed during the CNY in Minshan, Henan, whose production was fully recovered after the holiday. Xinling raised production slightly as planned and resumed normal output last week. Hunan Huaxin conducted maintenance on some production lines, and the daily output decreased, Yuteng reduced production slightly after the CNY holiday, and Shuikoushan Zhihui resumed production as planned and increased output. Zhenxing Lead Industry in Yunnan reduced production slightly, and Yunnan Mengzi completed maintenance and resumed part of the output. Gejiu Chuangyuan stopped production last week for lack of raw materials and is expected to resume production in mid-March. Honghe Lead Industry increased production slightly amid high inventory, and Mengzi Mining and Metallurgy recovered normal output after maintenance.