China '09 Lead Surplus 270 kt, More in 2010

LANZHOU, Sept 10 -- China will produce 3.14 million tonnes of lead metal this year, more than its estimated consumption of 2.87 million tonnes, Feng Juncong, a senior analyst at state-backed research firm Antaike, said on Thursday.

    The figures imply an expected surplus of about 270,000 tonnes. That will widen in 2010, since production is expected to rise 10 percent while demand will only increase by 6 percent, she told a conference in Lanzhou.

    China has shut down a number of smelters in the past month after three poisoning cases. Feng said shutdowns could cut lead production by 60,000 tonnes this year.

    (Source: Reuters)