Global Lead Market Posted Surplus, Says ILZSG Bulletin

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest edition of the monthly ‘Lead and Zinc Statistics Bulletin’ published by the International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) suggests that world refined lead metal supply exceeded demand by 7kt during the first four months of 2024. The total reported lead stock levels increased by 134,000 tonnes during this period, said the press release.

The global lead mine production rose marginally by 0.4% from January to April in 2024. The surge in mine output was primarily due to increased output reported by Kazakhstan, Peru and Sweden, which were partially offset by reductions in Ireland and Portugal. The lead mine output totalled 1.380 million tonnes in Jan-Apr’24, compared with 1.375 million tonnes a year before.

The refined lead metal production during this period has declined by 0.1%, as a result of lower output in China, which was largely balanced by increased in Bulgaria, Italy, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Meantime, global lead metal usage recorded marginal decline from 4.370 million tonnes to 4.281 million tonnes over the year.

The ILZSG monthly statistics suggest that monthly global lead mine output totalled 363.6 kt in April this year. The global refined lead metal production totalled 1,080.2 kt, whereas global lead metal usage totalled 1,102.8 kt during the month.