From Annual to Quarterly: SMM Launches Global Zinc Mine Zinc Concentrate Quarterly Production Data

Against a backdrop of recovering yet increasingly differentiated global zinc mine supply, changes in mine-level output have become more informative for assessing zinc concentrate supply–demand balances and treatment charge dynamics. To better capture supply timing and regional divergence, SMM has officially launched its Global Zinc Mine Zinc Concentrate Quarterly Production Data, designed to complement the existing annual production dataset and provide the market with a higher-frequency, more structurally detailed view of mine supply.

I. How to use the SMM Global Zinc Mine Quarterly Production Data

The SMM quarterly zinc concentrate production data is compiled and aggregated by continent–country–mine, with regional and global totals provided. The dataset focuses on reflecting actual production changes and operational adjustments at the mine level on a quarterly basis.

Users are encouraged to use the quarterly data in conjunction with SMM’s Global Zinc Mine Annual Production Data. While the annual dataset is suited to identifying medium- to long-term supply trends and structural changes, the quarterly data enables closer tracking of ramp-ups, maintenance schedules, disruptions, and marginal supply changes, offering a more timely view of supply elasticity. By cross-referencing quarterly and annual data, market participants can more clearly distinguish between structural shifts and short-term fluctuations in mine supply.

II. Market relevance and applications

• For investment institutions, quarterly production data can be analysed alongside smelter operating rates, treatment charges, and inventory levels to assess mine-side supply elasticity and short-term supply–demand mismatches, supporting price outlooks and asset allocation decisions.
• For smelters and traders, monitoring quarterly output changes across regions and countries helps gauge zinc concentrate availability and tightness, enabling optimisation of procurement strategies and inventory management.
• For research and industrial users, the dataset improves visibility into the marginal contribution of individual mines or regions to global supply, enhancing the precision and interpretability of supply–demand balance models.

III. Data coverage, frequency and updates

The SMM Global Zinc Mine Zinc Concentrate Quarterly Production Data currently covers the period from 2020 to the present and is updated on a quarterly basis. Data for the previous quarter will be updated after each quarter-end, with historical figures maintained and revised in line with ongoing market research.

For relevant questions, please contact:

Yueang He, Zinc & Lead Analyst, SMM London Office

Email: yueanghe@smm.cn

Tel/WhatsApp: +44 07522173725

Address: 99 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3XD

All information is based on market surveys and comprehensive assessments conducted by the SMM research team and is provided for reference only. It does not constitute investment advice.