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Lead: what to look for in 2016

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The situation for lead is dominated by the increasingly tight availability of mine supply during the course of 2016. With no new mines outside China due to start production this year and several major smelter expansions, the competition for concentrates will be intense, drive TCs down and LME price upwards. Demand remains steady and driven by the relentless increase in global vehicle numbers. New battery technology will increase the use of lead for automotive batteries and electric vehicles will do little to abate this demand.

Table of contents

    • Steady demand stands up to world economic storms
    • Lead retains resilience
    • The push-pull influence of new battery technologies
    • More new technology offers batteries with reduced lead and cleaner refining
    • Potential prohibition and devolving the problem
    • A concentrate deficit is forecast to take precedent in 2016
    • 2016 will be a pivotal year in shaping the medium-long-term future of the lead market
    • High-silver lead concentrate will be in high demand in 2016
    • The increased use of SKS technology will blur the lines between primary and secondary production

Tables and charts

This report includes 9 images and tables including:

  • Asia continues to have highest growth
  • All regions move into positive growth for 2016
  • Lead remained the most resilient base metal throughout 2015
  • Price spread volatility was a feature throughout last year
  • Hybrids and EVs show limited market penetration for years ahead
  • 2016 will see it s first concentrate market deficit since 2008
  • Heavy investment will be required from this year onwards to meet the requirement for lead concentrate
  • Production capability of medium-high silver grade lead concentrate treating smelters higher than mine production forecast in ROW
  • It is forecast that 61% of Chinese smelter production will come from SKS technology

What's included

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    Lead: what to look for in 2016

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