Secondary lead smelters operating rates declined for the second week

SHANGHAI, Apr 23 (SMM) – Operating rates across licensed smelters of secondary lead in Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan and Guizhou dropped 1.46 percentage points from the prior week to 48.36% as of April 23 as Anhui Dahua and Huabo suspended production for maintenance, showed an SMM survey. But Anhui Huabo already restarted production this week, and Anhui Camel also restored operation. 

Except for sample smelters, Hubei Jinyang and Henan Xincheng Power recovered from maintenance, and Jiangxi Qijing stepped up production. Meanwhile, Jiangxi Fengsi halted production due to switch of certificates and Shanxi Yichen conduced maintenance. Jiangsu New Chunxing postponed its output increase plan to May as it has yet to complete technology upgrading. Secondary lead output extended declines this week. 

The output is likely to rise slightly next week as Anhui Camel and Huabo will return to normal production.