The International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) released preliminary data for world lead and zinc supply and demand during the first eleven months of 2010. Preliminary data indicate the global refined lead metal market in surplus, an exceeded demand in world supply of refined zinc metal and an increase in total reported stock levels. Full details are available in the January 2011 edition of the Group’s 68 page ‘Lead and Zinc Statistics’ Bulletin (for members) under ilzsg.org

Lead

* Preliminary data compiled by the ILZSG for the first eleven months of 2011 indicate that the global refined lead metal market was in surplus by 41kt (kiloton) and that, over the same period, total reported inventory levels increased by 53kt.
* A rise in world lead mine production of 7.8 percent, compared to the first eleven months of 2010, was primarily influenced by increased production in Australia, China, India, Mexico and the Russian Federation which more than offset declines in Ireland, Peru and the United States.
* Global production of refined lead metal rose by 5.8 percent. This was mainly due to further growth in Chinese output.
* The main drivers behind a rise in world demand for refined lead metal of 6.3 percent were an increase in Chinese apparent usage of 8.2 percent and recoveries in Europe and Japan after sharp reductions in 2009.

Zinc

* According to the most recent information available to the ILZSG, world supply of refined zinc metal exceeded demand by 223kt over the period January to November 2011. Over the same period, after having taken into account 50kt of refined zinc released by the Chinese State Reserve Bureau in November, total reported stock levels increased by 201kt.
* Global global refined lead metal market was in surplusby 9.7 percent compared to the first eleven months of 2010. This was primarily due to higher output in Australia, China, Mexico and the Russian Federation.
* Increases in Belgium, Brazil, Peru, China, India, the United States and a number of other countries resulted in an overall global rise in world refined zinc metal production of 14.5 percent.
* The principal influences on an increase in world usage of refined zinc metal of 16.7 percent were strong recoveries in demand in Europe, Japan and the Republic of Korea together with further growth in Chinese apparent demand of 14.9 percent.

The 2011 edition of the ILZSG ‘Lead and Zinc New Mine and Smelter Projects’ report, with details of more than 200 lead and zinc projects, is now available under ilzsg.org.