Due to declining operating enthusiasm among lead smelters and the recovery of supply from lead-zinc mines in China, lead concentrates in the Chinese market were slightly more abundant in April. In addition, affected by weak silver prices and unclear expectations, smelters actively negotiated prices as by-product revenue declined. It is understood that the tender and bid prices for lead concentrates at some lead-zinc mines have already risen slightly by varying amounts of 30-50 yuan/mt Pb, while smelters maintained strong wait-and-see sentiment. In regions such as Hunan and Yunnan, some small-scale smelters still extended their maintenance-related shutdown cycles. Although sentiment in the precious metals market was pessimistic in the short term, the payable indicator for silver content in lead concentrates with various silver grades in the market has not yet been adjusted. Negotiations between mines and smelters mainly focused on increasing TCs. Except that some silver concentrates whose coefficient was raised in Q1 (with silver content above 3,000 g/t) no longer quoted high prices above 0.97, the silver payable indicators of other types of silver-bearing lead concentrates remained stable.

[Worsening Supply Concerns and Gradual Demand Recovery Stabilize the Center of Aluminum Prices with Geopolitical Premiums ]Overall, the market's core focus in the period ahead is on whether key aluminum smelters in the Middle East will further expand production cuts. If the cuts continue to materialize, they will provide strong upward momentum for global aluminum prices, coupled with support from expectations of a gradual release of demand during China’s peak season. In the short term, aluminum prices are expected to remain in a high-level consolidation pattern.

[SMM Aluminum Price Weekly Review: Geopolitical Disruptions Dominate, and the Pattern of Elevated Aluminum Prices Continues]

【SMM Steel】Potential fuel shortages are raising concerns across the Philippines' nickel, steel, and cement sectors. A national energy emergency was declared on Mar 24 due to global oil supply disruptions. Diesel prices have surged over 80%. Some nickel mines risk suspension. Steel producers are implementing cost controls. Large-scale shutdowns aren't expected yet, but industry remains under pressure.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is moving to sell alumina on the market as its Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi faces significant damage and an extended shutdown following Iranian missile and drone strikes over the weekend.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has halted operations at its Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi after the site was struck by Iranian missiles and drones over the weekend (March 28, 2026). The smelter lost power, causing an uncontrolled shutdown of the potlines. Molten metal solidified inside the smelting circuits, resulting in significant damage.