China depresses zinc.(zinc mining prices)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

This week, fundamental factors reasserted themselves over metal prices on the London Metal Exchange. Prices of all metals lost ground, and the three-months zinc price, which was largely overlooked in last week's rally, fell to US$938/t, its lowest level for 28 months.

At the beginning of the year, after several consecutive years of market deficit, LME stocks were at their lowest level for almost a decade, and a healthy demand forecast seemed to bode well for the metal. However, a combination of negative influences has forced the price into a steady retreat, and many ana