This week (June 12, 2026 – June 18, 2026), the average operating rate of primary lead smelters across three provinces was 65.19%, down 1.01 percentage points WoW.
This week, production at smelters in Henan and Yunnan remained stable, with overall operating rates basically flat WoW. A medium-sized smelter in Hunan began equipment maintenance early in the week, with production expected to resume after maintenance concludes in mid-July, leading to a slight pullback in the regional operating rate. In other regions, a smelter in Jiangxi slightly ramped up production this week following the completion of maintenance, driving the operating rate in east China higher.
![Maintenance and Downstream Cargo Pick-Up Deplete Primary Lead Enterprises' Plant Inventory to Low [SMM Primary Lead Inventory Weekly Review]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/bAjSC20251217171721.jpg)
![Primary lead spot prices rose before falling, and trading was sluggish before the Dragon Boat Festival [SMM Refined Lead Spot Market Weekly Review]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/TmYox20251217171721.jpeg)
![Lead Ingot Prices Retreat after Rapid Rise, Smelters' Scrap Battery Purchase Prices Remained Stable This Week [SMM Scrap Battery Weekly Review]](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/LCtEk20251217171721.jpeg)