output has fallen as a result. There are, however, plans for fu­ ture expansion in the leading tin-procucing countries. Consump­ tion of primary tin metal in African countries continues to be negligible. World consumption of primary tin metal (excluding the USSR and the German Democratic Republic) was 164,200 tonnes in 1981, compared with 174,900 tonnes in 1980 and 186,300 tonnes in 1979. (j) Lea o and zinc 151. As the economic recession deepened in 1981, consumption of both lead and zinc declined by about 3 per cent to the lowest levels for many years. In most countries consumption has con­ tinued to fall, anc there is little prospect of any big upturn until the world economy improves. 152. Refined lead production fell by 4 per cent to 3.5 million tonnes, but zinc procuction has been rising in recent months. 79 E/ECA /Ctr.. 9/5 153. The price cf zinc rose throughout much of 1981 -at a time when other metal prices were falline -to a peak in September. The producer price applicable tc sales outside the United States was increased in steps from $825 a tonne in January to $1 ,000 in September; it was $780 a tonne at the berinninf of 1980. 154. Mine pro6uction of zinc continued to decline in 1981~ main­ ly because of a prolcnfeC strike in Irelanc. Althoueh mine production was 119,000 tonnes less thah in 1980, zinc metal production rose by 50,000 tonnes. The year 1981 was also a bad year for zinc consumption, which fell by about 7 per cent in most industrialized countries. United States consumption increased by about 4 per cent. 155. The price of lead fell throuehout 1980 recoveree by April 1981 and fell by A.rril 1982. 156. Procucticn of lead in concentrates in the market economies, 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the production, consumption, and prices of tin, lead, and zinc, which are all natural resources. The text also mentions the impact of economic recession on the consumption of these metals. This suggests that the text is related to the economic development of countries and the management of natural resources.

**Category**
Industry, Natural resources and environment