Primary lead smelter operating rates rose to 61.5%

SHANGHAI, Jul 2 (SMM) - Operating rates across primary lead smelters in Henan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces gained 0.64 percentage point from the previous week to 61.5% in the week ended July 2, showed an SMM survey.

Henan Shibin slightly adjusted production plan due to limited raw materials. Yongning Jinqian stopped the crude lead production before the 100th anniversary of the founding of CPC, but the output of refined lead was unaffected. Hunan Shuikoushan Jinxin resumed normal output after finishing the restocking of raw materials. Hunan Yuteng slightly reduced production for lack of raw materials this week, and had no plan to resume production in early July. Hunan Jingui slightly increased production by around 50 mt/day. Yunnan Mengzi resumed the smelting of crude lead, and the production of refined lead was partly recovered.