US Lead usage rises during Jan-Nov; EU down by 1.6

Lead usage In the United States increased by 3.9% during January to November, while demand Europe declined by 1.6%.

According to International Lead and Zinc Study Group, an increase in global demand for refined zinc metal of 5.4% was primarily a consequence of a reported rise in Chinese apparent demand of 10.5% during January to November.

The global market for refined zinc metal was in deficit by 255kt over the eleven months from January to November 2014 with total reported inventories declining by 326kt over the same period, said ILZSG report.

Falls in zinc mine output in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland and Namibia were more than balanced by increases in China, Mexico, Peru, Sweden and the United Sates resulting in an overall global rise of 1.9%.

Despite reductions in India and the United States, world refined zinc metal production rose by 4.2%. This was due mainly to higher output in China.