Operating Rate of Primary Lead Smelters Fall amid Maintenance

SHANGHAI, Apr 24 (SMM) - According to SMM research, the average operating rate across primary lead smelters was 53.97% last week (April 15-21), down 1.47 percentage points from a week ago.

The operating rates in Henan remained stable as the maintenance of crude lead in Henan Yuguang extended. The operating rates in Hunan was stable as a smelter in Hunan resumed production with unstable output while another smelter plans to resume work after the May Day holiday. In Yunnan, Qujing Chihong carried out maintenance and is expected to resume in late April, hence the output declined last week. In addition, some primary lead smelters in Henan, Shandong, Inner Mongolia and Jiangxi have maintenance plans in May, but the specific maintenance time has not yet been determined. SMM will continue to follow up the situation.