Primary lead smelters maintained stable production despite smog alerts

SHANGHAI, Dec 13 (SMM) – Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces averaged 59.8% in the week ending December 13, unchanged from last week, according to an SMM survey.

The respective operating rates for the three regions also remained stable at 70.7% in Henan, 51.6% in Hunan and 43.8% in Yunnan.

This came despite an orange alert for ongoing heavy smog in Henan’s Jiyuan. The anti-smog production curbs were imposed on the smelting stage, while refining production felt little impact thanks to sufficient stockpiles of raw materials.

With 2019 coming to an end, primary lead smelters are unlikely to step up production as previous years, as they are able to fulfill their annual production targets as planned at the current pace of production.