Operating Rate across Primary Lead Smelters Down 0.07% on Week

SHANGHAI, Nov 19 (SMM) – The average operating rate across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces lost 0.07 percentage point from the previous week to 56.69% in the week ended November 19, an SMM survey showed.

The production in Henan was generally unchanged. The crude lead production lines of Wanyang Co. are still under maintenance, and are expected to resume the production next week. The output of refined lead has been unaffected. Shuikou Jinxin in Hunan has finished the stocking of raw materials, and will produce according to production targets, hence the output ramped up slightly from a week ago. Some small smelters in Gejiu, Yunnan reduced their output due to factors like the rising raw materials prices, and it remains uncertain as of when they will return to normal. Jiangxi Jinde completed its maintenance this week and resumed production.