zinc (among other base metals) is finally recovering. zinc, lead and copper had fallen the furthest and saw large cuts in production. this article is by barry sergeant at mineweb:

Price recoveries have been muted for aluminium (the biggest of the base metals) and tin (the smallest). Supply side cutbacks and closures instituted by miners have been strongest and deepest among miners of zinc, nickel and lead, and weakest in aluminium. While copper plunged from a record high of USD 4.06/lb in mid-2008, even at its lows of USD 1.28/lb seen late in 2008, more than 80% of copper miners were making profits at the cash level.

http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/...