Zinc market records deficit in January to September 2017

Mining News - LME stocks rose by 9 kt in September and ended the month 175 kt lower than at the end of 2016. LME stocks represent just under 35 per cent of the global total. Chinese demand fell by 0.1 per cent compared with the previous year. Production of locally refined metal in China fell by 2.8 per cent compared with 2016. Chinese imports of mostly special high grade metal were 77 kt in September which brought the year to date figure to 391 kt, 41 kt lower than in January to September 2016. 

 Global refined production rose by 0.1 per cent and consumption was 2.7 per cent higher than the levels recorded one year earlier. Japanese demand was, at 393 kt, 13.5 per cent above the equivalent total for January to September 2016.

 World demand was 279 kt higher than for January to September 2016. Chinese apparent demand was 4945 kt which is just over 46 per cent of the global total. No allowance is made in the consumption calculation for unreported stock changes.

 In September 2017 slab zinc production was 1173.8 kt and consumption 1227.8 kt.