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The present smelting capacities for primary zinc and primary lead metals in the country are 2,60,000 tonnes and 36,000 tonnes per annum respectively. This information is given in the Annual Report 2004-05 of Ministry of Mines.
The report says that the total production of lead in the world was 6.734 million tonnes during the year 2004, of which the share of India was 0.086 million tonnes. The largest producer of lead from lead mines is China followed by Australia, United States, Peru and Mexico. The refined lead consumption during 2004 was 6.934 million tonnes of which India consumed 0.217 million tonnes. The largest consumers of lead are United States, China, Germany, Republic of Korea and United Kingdom.
Total production of zinc in the world was 9.577 million tonnes during the year 2004 of which the share of India was 0.341 million tonnes. The largest producer of zinc from zinc mines is China followed by Australia, Peru, Canada and United States. The refined zinc consumption during the year 2004 was 10.216 million tonnes of which India consumed 0.356 million tonnes. The largest consumers of zinc are China, United States, Japan Germany and Republic of Korea.
Besides primary production, both zinc and lead metals are also produced through secondary routes from scrap, dross and residue. Most of the secondary lead production units are in the unorganized sector. Secondary zinc production during 2004-05 is estimated at 65,000 tonnes and secondary lead production at 40,000 tonnes.
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