Operating Rate of Primary Lead Smelters Up 5.29% on Week

SHANGHAI, Nov 5 (SMM) – The average operating rate across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces gained 5.29 percentage points from the previous week to 54.16% in the week ended November 5, an SMM survey showed.

In Henan, Jinli, Wanyang, Yuguang, and other smelters in Jiyuan city resumed the production after the power rationing, while the smelters in other regions including Xinling and Yongning did not fully recover the production due to the extended power rationing.

In Hunan, Shuikoushan Jinxin raised the operating rate slightly this week, and it would plan the production based on the crude lead supply next week. Shuikoushan Zhihui had to cut the production for lack of the crude lead.

In Yunnan, Gejiu Tongfu slightly expanded the production after maintenance. Wanyang may postpone the routine maintenance to mid-November, so it will maintain the normal production next week. Jiangxi Jinde and Jiangxi Copper are still under maintenance.