SMM Forecast for China LCO Output in March 2023

SHANGHAI, Sep 27 (SMM) – According to SMM survey, one lead-zinc mine in Qinghai province, who was shut down earlier due to another round of pandemic, plans to postpone its production resumptions to November due to pandemic-caused transportation issues and the upcoming 20th National Congress.

SHANGHAI, Aug 22 (SMM) - According to the National Energy Administration, from August 1st to 17th, the national coal output was 210 million mt, with an average daily output of 12.33 million mt, a year-on-year increase of 19.4%.

SHANGHAI, Aug 15 (SMM) - According to SMM survey, the average operating rate of domestic molten aluminium casting billet enterprises stood at 71.3% in July, down 0.99 percentage point from June, marking two consecutive months of decline.

SHANGHAI, Aug 8 (SMM) – China’s copper cathode output was 840,000 mt in July, down 2% MoM and up 1.1% YoY, SMM data showed.

China’s output of nickel sulphate stood at 97,700 mt or 21,500 mt in metal content in May, down 5.82% from the previous month but up 128.57% year on year.

China's refined tin output stood at 13,768 mt in May, down 11.2% from April.

China’s alumina output stood at 6.28 million mt in March. This included 6.07 million mt of metallurgical-grade alumina, with the daily output down 2.89% on the month but up 11.75% on the year to 195,900 mt. Metallurgical-grade alumina output totalled 17.32 million mt in Q1, up 7.12% on a yearly basis.

China's refined zinc output stood at 496,900 mt in March, up 5.44% or 25,600 mt on the month and up 6.49% on the year.

The Development and Reform Commission of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Department of Industry and Information Technology, and the Energy Bureau have issued the Several Measures to Ensure Control of Energy Consumption recently. Local lead and zinc concentrate mines and refined zinc smelters have been required to control their energy consumption which cannot exceed the level in the same period last year.

China’s output of hot-rolled coils and plates is likely to extend declines in March, as many steel makers will conduct routine maintenance. In addition, they have to restrict production as local governments have issued stricter environmental protection measures to respond to the policy of carbon neutrality.