During the week (June 26–July 2, 2026), the average operating rate of primary lead smelters across three provinces was 67.53%, up 0.57 percentage point WoW.
A large smelter in Hunan plans to shut down for maintenance at end-July and has gradually cut production; combined with the production resumption of a medium-sized smelter in the region, local operating rates saw mixed factors but edged up WoW. Two smelters in Henan voluntarily cut production due to weak market conditions, dragging the regional operating rate down slightly. A medium-sized secondary lead smelter in Yunnan resumed production, nudging the local operating rate higher. Another large smelter in Inner Mongolia plans to begin maintenance at end-July and has been gradually reducing output, causing the overall regional operating rate to pull back slightly.
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