Output Plan by 8 Major Non-Ferrous Smelters, Copper Rises by 8% in the 2nd Half of F2012

8 major non-ferrous smelters reported bare metal output plan in the second half of fiscal 2012 on October 5th. Copper increases by 7.9% from the previous year to 759,519 tons at total of 6 companies. It is a reaction from decreased output in the previous second half by blaze of Pan Pacific Copper and long term furnace repair of Sumitomo Metal Mining. It is also the background of record-high output plan by Sumitomo Metal Mining. Zinc produces 293,421 tons at total of 5 companies, down 3.4% from the previous term. Lead is planned to produce 94,945 tons at total of 4 companies because of cutting off the production in Sumitomo Metal Mining.