Primary lead smelters slow operation after full production at year-end

SHANGHAI, Jan 11 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 55.6% in the week through January 11, down 2.2 percentage points from the previous week, SMM data showed. Smaller scheduled output and suspension on technical upgrading after full production at the year-end accounted for the lower rate. 

Rates across plants in Henan slid 2.9 percentage points to 77% as Henan Jinli smelter started to lower its daily production to 700 mt, from 800 mt at the end of 2018. 

Primary smelters in Yunnan also operated at a slower rate of 31.1%, down 3 percentage points on the week, as Yunan Xiangyun Feilong suspended for technical upgrading this week. This is likely to affect production by 2,000 mt per month. At Yunnan Zhenxing, 15-18 days of annual maintenance in January will also affect monthly production by 1,000 mt. 

Rates across plants in Hunan slipped 0.4 percentage point to 40.8% as Hunan Jinyuteng lowered its daily output from 260 mt to 240 mt.