SMM Primary Lead Smelter Weekly Operating Rate (May 8, 2026 - May 14, 2026) [SMM Primary Lead Operating Rate Weekly Review]

This week (May 8, 2026 – May 14, 2026), the average operating rate of primary lead smelters in the three provinces was 65%, down 0.88 percentage points WoW.

This week, smelters in Henan and Yunnan maintained stable production operations, with overall operating rates basically flat WoW. A mid-sized smelter in Hunan conducted short-term equipment maintenance at the beginning of the week, causing the regional operating rate to pull back slightly. Normal production resumed near the weekend, and the operating rate of Hunan smelters is expected to rebound next week. Other regions, a smelter in South China underwent short-term equipment maintenance, dragging down the overall operating rate in South China.