Primary lead smelters operating rates rose as new capacity came online in Henan

SHANGHAI, Jul 24 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 52.6% in the week ended July 24, up 0.7 percentage point from the previous week, showed an SMM survey.

The average rate in Henan climbed 1.3 percentage point to 64.5% as Henan Yuguang commissioned new capacity. The new lines have not reached full operation, with daily output currently at 850-950 mt.

The respective rates in Yunnan and Hunan were unchanged from a week ago, standing at 37.3% and 42.3%.

Henan Jinli smelter lowered its daily output to 650-700 mt due to equipment failure. Smelters in other areas maintained stable operation this week.