Treatment charges (TCs) for spot zinc concentrates nosedived in April amid prolonged shutdowns in major producing nations of Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and South Africa, leaving smelters scrambling for material.
Fastmarkets assessed the zinc concentrate TC, cif China at $180-195 per tonne on Friday April 24, a steep 28.6% fall from $255-270 per tonne the previous month. The low end of the range has dropped by $100 per tonne since February.Falling spot zinc terms reflect an unprecedented switch in the market, following a 12-year high 2020 benchmark TC of $299.75 per tonne settled between smelters and Teck...