Combined Net Profit of Major Chinese Lead and Zinc Smelters Down 74.1% YoY in H1

BEIJING, Aug. 6 -- Major lead and zinc smelters under the China Nonferrous Metals  Industry Association (CNIA) recorded a combined net profit of RMB 719 million ($105.26 million) in the first half of 2009, plummeting 74.1% YoY, according to a report released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Aug. 5.

    The 15 smelters generated total sales revenue of RMB 30.42 billion ($4.45 billion) during the period, down 30.5% YoY, the report said.

    During the first six months of this year, China's lead output hit 1.66million mt, up 14.08% YoY, while zinc output was 1.89million mt, down 1.57% YoY.

    The table below shows China's top 10 lead producing regions in the first half of 2009, which produced a total of 1.55 million mt of lead, or 93.73% of China's total lead output.

    Top 10 lead producing regions, January to June 2009

    The table below shows China's top 10 zinc producing regions in the first half of 2009, which produced a total of 1.79 million mt of zinc, or 94.71% of China's total zinc output.

    Top 10 zinc producing regions, January to June 2009

    (Source: INTERFAX-CHINA)