The global refined zinc market may be in short supply by 2023, the International Lead and Zinc Research Group (ILZSG) said on Thursday.
ILZSG said global demand for refined zinc would exceed supply in 2023, with a shortfall of around 45,000 tonnes expected.
Global demand for refined zinc is forecast to rise 2.1 per cent this year to 13.8m tonnes. Mineral zinc production is forecast to increase by 3% to 12.86 million tonnes in 2023.
Global demand for refined lead is expected to exceed supply by 20,000 tonnes in 2023.
ILZSG expects global refined lead demand to rise 1.7 per cent this year to 12.53m tonnes, while global mining lead production is forecast to rise 2.8 per cent to 4.56m tonnes.
