Lead and Zinc: Threats and Opportunities in the Years Ahead

Lead has come under attack from environmental legislation, but the lead industry is far from pessimistic about its prospects. Demand for lead for SLI batteries is rising, along with growth in new car demand in Eastern Europe, China, the rest of the Far East and Latin America, while in the developed world the demand for replacement SLI batteries is a constant and growing feature. Over 80% of all the lead now used in the US is for the production of lead-acid batteries. Global zinc mine output is expected to rise by 4.2% to 9Mt in 2001: this is mainly as a consequence of increased output at the Lisheen mine in Ireland, additions to capacity in Mexico and Peru, and a further rise in output at the many small mines spread throughout China. However, these rises will be partially balanced by reductions in Canada, Japan, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Up-to-date, in-depth research and analysis to make you an authority on the world's major nickel markets This report examines these two closely-related metals individually, analysing the key issues for the future including the impact of developments in the environmental arena and the recycling marketplace. Some key findings of this report Several new zinc-producing mines in Australia will also yield significant amounts of lead, including Pillara , Century and George Fisher which will produce 34,000tpy, 45,000tpy and 100,000tpy of contained lead respectively. A forecast rise of 2.9% to 3.03 million tonnes resulted in global lead mine output exceeding 3Mt for the first time in 2001. In the Western World, output increased by 2.2% to 2.27Mt. The automotive industry is currently one of the most important consumers of zinc and is set to remain so while steel remains the basic material of car manufacturing. Galvanised steel housing is said by some commentators to be the fastest growing market for zinc in the world. The battery sector is also increasingly important, with the prospect of new products coming onto the market in the next few years. Batteries now account for around 73% of Western World demand for lead, up from just over 50% in 1985. This share is forecast to rise to 80% by 2010, driven mainly by growth in demand from motor vehicles.

- A clear and detailed analysis of the industry and its major markets - A survey of trends in mining, refining, processing, end-use and consumption - Unique industry and market forecasts - Profiles of the leading producing companies - Expert insight into the market's dynamics and prospects - Numerous graphs and tables for at-a-glance information

Lead has come under attack from environmental legislation, but the lead industry is far from pessimistic about its prospects. Demand for lead for SLI batteries is rising, along with growth in new car demand in Eastern Europe, China, the rest of the Far East and Latin America, while in the developed world the demand for replacement SLI batteries is a constant and growing feature. Over 80% of all the lead now used in the US is for the production of lead-acid batteries. Global zinc mine output is expected to rise by 4.2% to 9Mt in 2001: this is mainly as a consequence of increased output at the Lisheen mine in Ireland, additions to capacity in Mexico and Peru, and a further rise in output at the many small mines spread throughout China. However, these rises will be partially balanced by reductions in Canada, Japan, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.

Up-to-date, in-depth research and analysis to make you an authority on the world's major nickel markets

This report examines these two closely-related metals individually, analysing the key issues for the future including the impact of developments in the environmental arena and the recycling marketplace.

Some key findings of this report

Several new zinc-producing mines in Australia will also yield significant amounts of lead, including Pillara , Century and George Fisher which will produce 34,000tpy, 45,000tpy and 100,000tpy of contained lead respectively.

A forecast rise of 2.9% to 3.03 million tonnes resulted in global lead mine output exceeding 3Mt for the first time in 2001. In the Western World, output increased by 2.2% to 2.27Mt.

The automotive industry is currently one of the most important consumers of zinc and is set to remain so while steel remains the basic material of car manufacturing.

Galvanised steel housing is said by some commentators to be the fastest growing market for zinc in the world. The battery sector is also increasingly important, with the prospect of new products coming onto the market in the next few years.

Batteries now account for around 73% of Western World demand for lead, up from just over 50% in 1985. This share is forecast to rise to 80% by 2010, driven mainly by growth in demand from motor vehicles.

This report is written by Nnamdi Anyadike, who has many years' experience of reporting and analysing the international metals markets and their downstream sectors. He spent several years in Brussels working with a number of metals trade associations including the European Aluminium Association, Euromines and the International Steel Association. He has written a number of market intelligence reports on the metals, plastics and packaging sectors for various industry associations and other media including the Financial Times. The former editor of numerous journals and trade newsletters, Nnamdi Anyadike is currently Consultant Editor of Aluminium World.