Refined lead, consumption rates

The key longer-term determinant of refined lead output is clearly the trend in metal consumption, though there may be long and variable lags involved. However, in the short term production decisions may be more directly based around movements in prices, industry stockholding behaviour, or simply perceived changes in market sentiment. Thus refined output has tended to show quite severe year-to-year fluctuations around the long-term trends that we have identified, reflected in variations in smelter capacity utilisation rates. 

In addition to the criteria listed above, significant improvements in hygiene and occupational safety conditions have also been achieved in the new lead and precious metals refining plants, with minimal fume emissions and the eradication of nearly all of the heavy manual workload characteristic of the old plant. A significant reduction in zinc consumption compared to the previous process has been observed. In addition, the recycle rate of dross material has been significantly reduced, and the overall predicted increase in plant capacity was achieved. These achievements along with the production ctqiadty increases were accomplished with virtually the same labour compliment as with the old plant. 

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