According to SMM, a zinc smelter in Southwest China plans to conduct routine maintenance in early July. The maintenance is expected to last 10-15 days, affecting production by 2,000-3,000 mt.

According to SMM, a zinc smelter in Central China entered a routine maintenance phase on June 24, planning to halt production for maintenance for about 25 days, which is expected to affect approximately 10,000 mt.

According to SMM, a zinc smelter in north China commenced a production halt for maintenance on June 21. The maintenance is expected to last around 20 days, during which no zinc ingot output will be produced.

[Zinc concentrate TCs remain low, keep watching subsequent smelter operations]: From weekly data, the SMM Zn50 domestic weekly TC average fell by 150 yuan/mt Zn WoW to -200 yuan/mt Zn, and the SMM import zinc concentrate index fell by $0.56/dmt WoW to -$71.76/dmt..

According to an SMM survey, a zinc smelter in northern China started routine maintenance today, planning a 40-day maintenance period, with an estimated impact of approximately 3,000 mt.

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Dachaidan in Haixi, Qinghai, on June 16, 2026. According to SMM, the main zinc smelters and mines in the Qinghai region have seen no impact so far. SMM will continue to follow up on subsequent developments.

[Geopolitical Risks Subside: How Will the Zinc Market React?] The Middle East conflict has recently shown clear signs of de-escalation. The market is now fully pricing in a U.S.-Iran agreement and the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. What impact will this have on the zinc market?

According to official information from Luoping Zinc & Electricity as learned by SMM, in light of production and operational arrangements, Yunnan Luoping Zinc & Electricity Co., Ltd. will sell germanium concentrate produced at its zinc smelter in June via competitive bidding. Bidding quantities are measured in kilograms, with a minimum bid volume of 300 kilograms. Bids must be submitted before 10:00 a.m. on June 11, 2026. Market sources indicate the tender has now been successfully closed with transactions finalized.

According to SMM insights, a zinc smelter in Central China began maintenance at the end of May and plans to return to normal operation on June 15, with an overall impact of approximately 5,000 mt.

As we near the midpoint of the year, zinc concentrate treatment charges (TCs) have repeatedly tumbled to historic lows. As of June 5, the average TC for domestic zinc concentrate fell to 50 yuan per metric ton of metal content, while the TC for imported zinc concentrate dropped to -70.75 US dollars per dry metric ton.