【Zinc Concentrate Production Update】According to SMM, a zinc mine in North China plans to adjust its production system in August, with zinc concentrate output expected to decrease by approximately 1,000 tonnes of contained zinc. SMM will continue to monitor subsequent developments.

[Peru Zinc Concentrate Production] According to Peru's Mining Statistical Bulletin, the country's zinc concentrate production totaled 104,700 metric tons in May 2026, down 4.8% month-on-month and 13.6% year-on-year. Cumulative production for January–May 2026 reached 542,500 metric tons, representing a 6.5% decline compared with the same period last year.

Appian Capital Advisory, which holds a 90% stake in Namibia’s Rosh Pinah zinc-lead mine, announced the successful commissioning of a new SAG (semi-autogenous grinding) mill, marking the completion of the final major processing component of the RP2.0 expansion project. The new SAG mill replaces the existing ball mill and is expected to double the mine’s processing throughput from approximately 700,000 tonnes of ore per year to 1.4 million tonnes annually following ramp-up. The upgraded facility will also improve the plant’s ability to process harder ore types as mining advances deeper underground. With the SAG mill now operational, the entire RP2.0 circuit—including the new zinc flotation circuit, paste fill plant, water treatment facility, and expanded thickening and filtration systems—has been fully integrated. Appian stated that overall project construction progress has exceeded 95%, and the expansion is expected to extend mine life, improve resource utilization, and support higher zinc concentrate output in the coming years.

【Zinc Concentrate Production Update】According to SMM, a zinc mine in Southwest China resumed production in June, increasing zinc concentrate output by approximately 500 metal tonnes month-on-month. Production is expected to continue recovering in July and return to normal operating levels.

[Zinc Concentrate Production Update] SMM understands that a mine in central China plans to undergo maintenance and suspend production for a short period in July, which is expected to result in a MoM reduction of approximately 500 mt in metal content of zinc concentrates in July.

Time flies as the midpoint of 2026 approaches. The zinc concentrate market has witnessed another extraordinary price cycle this year. As of June 12, domestic zinc concentrate treatment charges (TCs) plunged to -50 yuan per metric ton of zinc metal, marking the arrival of negative TCs. Meanwhile, TCs for imported zinc concentrate tumbled to -71.2 US dollars per dry metric ton, both hitting all-time record lows.