Primary lead smelters operating rates fell slightly on week

SHANGHAI, Mar 26 (SMM) — Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces fell slightly from the previous week to 59.3% in the week ended March 26, showed an SMM survey.

Smelters in Henan basically kept stable production, with daily output at Anyang Minshan and Yongning Gold & Lead sliding slightly. Jiyuan Wanyang will resume its crude lead lines on March 27. Hunan Yuteng were under maintenance for two days this week, while Yongxing Zhongde ramped up production slightly and Jingui Silver is expected to resume some production in April. Hunan Huaxin plans to raise daily output by about 50 mt in April. Yunnan Chihong Zn & Ge plans to suspend for one month for maintenance in April, while Gejiu Chuangyuan is expected to restart production in early April. West Mining will conduct maintenance in April.