Mitsui Mining & Smelting’s Zn Smelting Unit Uses Various Ore

Mitsui Mining & Smelting’s zinc smelting unit, Kamioka Mining & Smelting is completing investment to use various raw materials including lower grade concentrate. The firm invested in facility to treat ore from South American mines when the main source of Century mine in Australia will finish the operation in around 2015. The firm tries to improve the competitiveness through the variation.

The firm depended 100% zinc ore on Century mine for the annual 65,000 tonnes of zinc production. The firm tries to prepare for post Century to use ore from other mines. The firm already shifts to other mines and now purchases 60% ore from other mines including San Cristobal mine in Bolivia and mines in Peru.

However, the concentrate from South America is smaller than Century ore. The firm added granulation plant in October to treat the ore from various sources while the firm already invested in equipment to remove powder ore from boiler at roast process.

The firm will improve the power supply ability as next step for better competition. The firm already covers around 70% of the power consumption by the own hydraulic power. The firm eyes investment for smaller generators by utilizing subsidy for renewable energy.