Global zinc-in-concentrate production in 2007 is estimated to have increased by 10.5 percent (or 1,074,000t) to 1 l,322,000t. Over half of the absolute increase stemmed from developments in the former East bloc. China has underpinned the growth in global mine supply since 2005, but 2007 marked the first year in which Western mines were finally able to supply more in response to high prices. We estimate that Western mine production in 2007 increased by 7.0 percent (or 460,000t) to 7,065,000t. Zinc prices are now falling but, while production growth is likely to slow in China, Western mine production is set to expand further. We forecast global mine supply expanding by another 6.8 percent(or 775,000t) to 12,097,000t in 2008. Within this, production growth in the West should accelerate to 8.4 percent, 595,000t of extra supply pushing the total to 7,660,000t.
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