Consumption may help stop declines in lead prices

Published: Dec 12, 2023 14:36
Source: SMM
LME lead prices fell continuously during the week and fell to a six-month low.

LME lead prices fell continuously during the week and fell to a six-month low. LME lead inventory fell by 5,650 mt on a weekly basis, which can be seen as a signal for the lead price to stop falling. The contango of LME cash to the three-month lead contract expanded and stood at 44.75/mt as of December 7. LME lead prices will run at $1,995- 2,060/mt this week.

The delivery of the SHFE 2312 lead contract is about to cause inventory accumulation while tightening available spot supply. After the lead price fell, the market gradually accepted the decline in the price of battery scrap, which may cause lead prices to continue to shift downward. The most active SHFE lead contract prices are expected to move between 15,250-15,500 yuan/mt this week.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Bunker Hill Advances Lead-Zinc Mine Restart, Targeting Commercial Production by End-2026
5 hours ago
Bunker Hill Advances Lead-Zinc Mine Restart, Targeting Commercial Production by End-2026
Read More
Bunker Hill Advances Lead-Zinc Mine Restart, Targeting Commercial Production by End-2026
Bunker Hill Advances Lead-Zinc Mine Restart, Targeting Commercial Production by End-2026
Bunker Hill Mining announced on September 1 that its Bunker Hill lead-zinc mine in Idaho, USA, produced its first lead and zinc concentrates in late June 2026. The operation is currently ramping up, with ongoing optimisation of underground mining and processing operations. The processing plant has a design capacity of 1,800 tonnes per day, with planned combined annual output of approximately 85,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate and silver-bearing lead concentrate. The company plans to supplement working capital through standby financing and concentrate prepayment arrangements, targeting full commercial production by the end of 2026. SMM forecasts the mine’s 2026 output at approximately 25,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate and 10,000–15,000 tonnes of lead in concentrate, both on a contained-metal basis. Meanwhile, recent underground drilling at the Cate-8 mineralised zone returned maximum sample grades of 41.1% lead and 7.41% zinc. The company is assessing the feasibility of incorporating the zone into its near-term mine plan. As production ramps up, the mine is expected to provide incremental lead and zinc supply to North America.
5 hours ago
SHFE lead edges down 0.03% with a long upper shadow, consolidation at highs remains intact [Lead Futures Brief Comment]
9 hours ago
SHFE lead edges down 0.03% with a long upper shadow, consolidation at highs remains intact [Lead Futures Brief Comment]
Read More
SHFE lead edges down 0.03% with a long upper shadow, consolidation at highs remains intact [Lead Futures Brief Comment]
SHFE lead edges down 0.03% with a long upper shadow, consolidation at highs remains intact [Lead Futures Brief Comment]
9 hours ago
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 02)
11 hours ago
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 02)
Read More
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 02)
Data: SHFE, DCE market movement (Sep 02)
The following table shows the ferrous and nonferrous metals movement on the SHFE and DCE on 02 Sep , 2026
11 hours ago