North America Lead Market Seen by Doe Run in Slight Deficit

The North American lead market will have a “slight deficit” next year after a “small surplus” this year, according to Jose Hansen, vice president of sales and marketing at Doe Run Co., owner of six mines in Missouri.

Doe Run’s Herculaneum smelter in Missouri will close Dec. 31, pushing the market into shortage next year, Hansen said in an interview in London today. Premiums for lead in the U.S. doubled this year in anticipation of the closing, and are now about 10 cents to 13 cents a pound, he said. He declined to comment on premiums for next year. Supplies from Canada and Mexico will help to fill the gap in the U.S., he said.