Sumitomo Metal Mining’s Harima to Use Only Recycling Zn Ore

Sumitomo Metal Mining announced on Friday the firm terminates processing of zinc and lead concentrates at Harima plant in Hyogo to shift to recycled zinc oxide ore zinc making operation in April 2012 as a part of effort to improve the zinc making competitiveness. The zinc production decreases by 40% and stops electrolytic lead production.

Harima plant makes prime western grade zinc with around 98.5% purity as charge production ordered by MS Zinc, which is joint venture of Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui Mining & Smelting. Harima plant with annual 90,000 tonnes of output capacity made 90,000 tonnes of product in fiscal 2010 ended March 2011. The plant with 30,000 tonnes of lead output capacity made 24,000 tonnes of lead.

Harima plant also uses recycled zinc oxide ore, which is made at Shisaka plant from electric furnace dust. Shisaka plant with annual 120,000 tonnes of treatment capacity treated 110,000 tonnes in fiscal 2010. The recycled ore represents more than 40% of Harima plant’s raw materials.

With the all recycling ore operation, Harima plant’s zinc production decreases to around 40,000 tonnes per year. The plant scraps electrolytic process to stop electrolytic lead production. The plant also stops sulfuric acid production as byproduct of zinc concentrate treatment.

Sumitomo Metal Mining eyes nickel sulfate production at the space for lead and sulfuric acid production when nickel sulfate demand will increase for battery material.