June 28, 2012

Global mined zinc production up in year to April

The International Lead Zinc Study Group's (ILZSG) latest figures show that in the year to April, the world total of mined zinc production grew to 4.37 million tonnes as compared with 3.92 million tonnes in the same period in 2011.

Asia contributed 2.08 million tonnes to this total, with 1.43 million tonnes from China alone, the body's monthly statistical report showed.

The Americas were the next largest contributor, at 1.35 million tonnes, and the smallest overall contribution was from Africa, at 104,000 tonnes.

Refined zinc production was more or less flat in the first four months of the year, at 4.24 million tonnes, compared with 4.25 million tonnes in the same period a year previously.

Africa saw a marked decline in refined metal production, to 60,000 tonnes in the year to April 2012, down from 87,000 tonnes in the year to April 2011.

Australian production, meanwhile, climbed to 173,000 tonnes in the first four months of 2012, from 164,000 tonnes in the same period in 2011.

Refined zinc usage was also flat, at 4.11 million tonnes for January-April this year, compared with 4.06 million tonnes the year before.

Usage was up on-year in China, however, at 2.66 million tonnes for the period, compared with 2.53 million tonnes for April to January 2011.

The average London Metal Exchange three-month price for the galvanising metal in May this year was US$1,930.02 per tonne, compared with US$2,190.30 per tonne in May 2011.

Total stocks, including those in LME-listed warehouses, came to an average of 1.88 million tonnes in the first four months of the year.