SHANGHAI, Oct 15 – According to SMM survey, the average operating rate of primary lead smelters in three provinces was 52.68% this week, up 0.98 percentage point from a week ago.

Henan Hongyang was under maintenance for a week. Yongning Gold and Lead is expected to complete maintenance and resume production around October 20. Jiyuan issued power rationing notice on October 15, so local smelters plan to reduce production slightly next week. The output of Yunnan Tongfu was slightly affected by the power rationing. Some smelters in Hunan have gradually resumed production after the impact of power rationing has ended. However, some smelters in Hunan implemented their autumn maintenance in advance. The tight supply of concentrates in Yunnan has not yet eased, so local smelters have no plans to resume production for the time being. Xing’an Silver and Lead completed overhaul in September and its production will return to normal after the National Day holiday. Jiangxi Jinde has begun to carry out overhaul.