Japan Copper Smelters Reduce Output

Mitsubishi Materials will keep reducing the electrolytic copper production for 6 months. The firm already announced the 10% production cut from original plan at Naoshima smelter in Kagawa, Onahama smelter in Fukushima and Gresik smelter in Indonesia. With lower operation rate for 6 months, the production cut could be around 15,000 tonnes in the domestic smelters and 11,000 tonnes in Indonesia.

Dowa Holdings announced on Thursday the firm reduces the electrolytic copper production by 10% at Onahama smelter, in which the firm has interest. The copper production decreases by 3% or around 1,600 tonnes from planned around 49,000 tonnes for October-March period.

Slowing industrial activity impacts on the smelters’ operations when electric wire and rolled copper makers reduce the operation to less than 50% due to lower demand for automobile and appliances. Japanese largest copper smelter, Pan Pacific Copper and Sumitomo Metal Mining also reduce the production by 15,000 tonnes and 14,000 tonnes respectively in January-March.