World zinc prices on the London Metal Exchange opened this month at 49 cents per pound, continuing down from their price of 50 cents in February 2009 and 54 cents in January 2009.

Zinc prices have been on a steep decline from the record high of USD 2.20 set in December 2006. As major consuming markets have collapsed since late last summer, LME zinc prices traded roughly between 79 cents and 50 cents. Zinc prices were last under 50 cents in the fourth quarter of 2004.

Refined zinc stocks in 2009 have risen to 360,000 tonnes at the start of March from 254,000 at the start of January.

Mr James Hensler CEO of Horsehead Corporation said that zinc demand remains soft among all of its customer sectors for its recycled zinc and zinc oxide products. He added that "It's soft right now, pretty much across the board. We are certainly seeing demand weaker than a year ago."

(Sourced from www.metalprices.com)