Marubeni Corp. to Expand Interests in Coal and Metal Resources

Marubeni Corporation’s metals and mineral resources division expands equity coal to annual 8 million tonnes in 2010, which is 1.5 times of current position. The unit tries to expand the metal and mineral resource base through 120 billion yen of investment in 2 years to fiscal 2007 ending March 2008. The unit doubled equity coal to annual 6 million tonnes in the year through investment in Australian coal miners. The firm studies additional investment up to 50 billion yen for coal and copper resources in fiscal 2007. The unit tries to double the equity copper resource by 2010 from current 35,000 tonnes while the unit increases the equity aluminium from current 150,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes by 2010. The firm also seeks opportunities for new resources including nickel and rare metals.