[Pb Import]China Lead Concentrate Imports Drift down 2.01% YoY in H1 2015

SHANGHAI, Jul. 28 (SMM) - China Customs reported that China imported 104,000 mt lead concentrate in June 2015, down 21.97% from May. Imported lead ore totaled 768,000 mt during January-June 2015, falling 2.01% YoY.

Shipment of concentrate imports from goods in bonded areas (including pilot areas under customs supervision) and goods at bonded warehouses was only 3,000 mt in June, versus January’s 21,000 mt, February’s 21,000 mt, March’s 46,000 mt, April’s 12,000 mt and May’s 27,000 mt.

In June, imports climbed 5,000 mt MoM to 15,000 mt, 6,000 mt MoM to 14,000 mt and 5,000 mt MoM to 7,000 mt in Shandong Humon Smelting, Hunan’s Jingui Silver Industry and Jincheng Chengyuan Smelting, respectively. Both Jiangxi Copper Company Limited and Jiyuan Wanyang Smeltery Group posted a growth of 5,000 mt MoM in imported materials and imports edged up to 4,000 mt in Zhuzhou Smelter Group.  

Hechi Nanfang Nonferrous Metals Group imported 3,000 mt concentrate in June, up 1,000 mt from May. Imports fell to 10,000 mt and 3,000 mt in Yuteng Nonferrous Metals and Jinli Lead, respectively, each down 10,000 mt and 6,000 mt MoM.

By countries, total 22 countries shipped concentrate to China in June, down 7 MoM. Shipment from Australia, the top one supplier, grew 25,000 mt MoM to 30,000 mt in June and shipment grew 5,000 mt MoM to 15,000 mt from Peru. But shipment from Russia slipped to 11,000 mt, down 3,000 mt from May. The number of countries exporting over 10,000 mt concentrate to China dropped 3 from May in June.