Japan Major Nonferrous Metal Companies Continue Plant Suspension

Mitsui Mining & Smelting announced on Friday the firm continues plant suspensions at several sites in Saitama, Fukushima and Aomori Prefectures. The firm has suspended electrolytic copper foil and optical crystal production in Ageo City, Saitama since March 11. There was no critical damage on factory buildings and production facilities but the firm postpones recommencement due to TEPCO’s power outage plan. The firm explained it is unclear when to restart Ageo area’s operations. The firm has also suspended operations of Mitsui Kinzoku ACT’s Ishikawa plant in Fukushima, to produce automotive components, and Hachinohe Smelting in Aomori, to produce zinc and lead.

Among Japanese nonferrous metal companies, Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) also announced on Friday the firm continues plant suspensions at Kiyohara Sumiden in Tochigi Prefecture and Daikoku Electric Wire’s sites in Tochigi and Iwate Prefectures. Kiyohara Sumiden is SEI’s subsidiary to produce optical fiber preform and optical fiber. Daikoku Electric Wire is another subsidiary to produce magnet wire.