According to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) an increase in global lead mine production of 12.7% compared to the same period of 2016 was mainly due to higher output in China and India that more than offset decreases in Australia and Peru. A rise in world refined lead metal output of 7.2% was primarily influenced by increases in China, India,
the Republic of Korea and the United States. Furthermore an increase in US apparent demand for refined lead metal of 23.3% was principally a consequence of a sharp rise in net imports. Chinese apparent usage rose by 13.7% and in Europe by a more modest 1.7%. Overall global demand rose by 10.3%. According to the ILZSG Chinese imports of lead contained in lead concentrates decreased by 4.9% to total 272kt. Net imports of
refined lead metal amounted to 41kt compared to net exports of 12kt over the same period in 2016.
According to preliminary data recently compiled by the ILZSG, the global market for refined zinc metal was in deficit by 178kt over the first five months of 2017 with total reported inventories declining by 167kt over the same period. World zinc mine production increased by 6.3% mainly due to rises in Eritrea, India, Peru and Turkey that more than balanced reductions in Australia and the United States. A significant 54.8% rise in Indian refined zinc metal output was largely offset by reductions in Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Peru and Thailand resulting in an overall global increase of 0.4%. After a sharp fall in 2016, US apparent demand for refined zinc metal increased by 19%. In China, apparent usage decreased by 2.8% and in Europe rose by 1.8%. On a global basis demand was 1.1% higher. Chinese imports of zinc contained in zinc concentrates amounted to 477kt, a rise of 27.9% compared to the same period of 2016. The country’s net imports of refined zinc metal decreased by 48.4% to 129kt.
