Home

Metal News

Lead

[Pb] CBI Survey -- Operating Rates at Domestic Primary Lead Smelters

China Steel Export Edges up on Shrinking Price Difference

SHANGHAI, May 21 (CBI China) -- A recent CBI survey of 25 major domestic primary lead smelters (total capacity: 2.41 million mt/yr) revealed the following insights:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1) Operating Rates
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Domestic lead prices surged twice during the first half of April, but failed to break the important RMB 13,000/mt level, but was able to gain support at RMB 12,000/mt by the end of the month.&nbsp; Prices failed to generate any strong production interests at medium and small primary lead smelters.&nbsp; In addition, a small number of medium-size smelters shut down for maintenance for about 10 days due to tight raw material supplies and high lead concentrate prices, slightly affecting output of&nbsp; refined lead.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2) TC/RC of Lead Concentrate
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Buyers were still in a stronger position in lead concentrate markets during April. TC/RC of domestic lead concentrate (55-60%) was in the RMB 2,500-2,800/mt range, and TC/RC of imported high-silver lead concentrate rose to USD 40-50/mt, from USD 30/mt in the second half of March.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3) Consumption Forecast
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Buying interest from lead-acid storage battery producers experienced significant declines in the second half of April.&nbsp; Daily trading volumes were down in major markets, leading to a pessimistic outlook from a small number of smelters.&nbsp; However, LME lead prices have been strong due to positive economic news, as well as improving financial and commodity markets.&nbsp; These higher prices will put more pressure on lead concentrate imports, but should lift the sentiment of most smelters.
&nbsp;
Copyright ? 2009, CBI (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
None of this material may be used for any commercial or public use in any form or means, without the prior written consent of CBI China. For reproduction issue, please contact us by email: <A href="mailto:metalresearch@cbichina.com">metalresearch@cbichina.com</A> or tel:86-21-51550040

[Cu] Summary - 2009/5/21 Scrap Copper Market

[Pb] CBI Survey -- Operating Rates at Domestic Primary Lead Smelters_SMM | Shanghai Non ferrous Metals

Exclusive: China's Metals Output in April

SMM Morning Comments (May 9): Base Metals Closed Mostly with Losses on Constantly Rising US Dollar Index

SMM Morning Comments (May 11): Base Metals Closed Mostly with Losses on Worries over Economic Recession

SMM Morning Comments (May 12): Base Metals Closed Mostly with Gains on Bullish Macro Front

SMM Morning Comments (May 5): LME Base Metals Closed Mostly with Gains on Falling US Dollar Index after Paying Off