Focus: 2007 zinc mine supplies

摘要

For over a year, global zinc concentrate supplies have been dominated by a surge in Chinese output while growth in the West has been lacklustre (1 -1.5 percent). Now, however, the growth in Chinese mine supply is slowing and zinc concentrate production in the West is set to accelerate higher. Although it has taken time, Western miners' response to higher prices and lower TCs is now materialising and 2007 is set to be the first of three consecutive years of very strong growth in Western mine output. However, even though new and reactivating mines will be adding to Western supply, the contribution from existing mines is also forecast to increase significantly.