Mitsui Mining & Smelting Mulls Zinc Alternate Production in West Japan

Mitsui Mining & Smelting aims to increase zinc output at smelting sites in West Japan when Hachinohe Smelting in Aomori Prefecture, Japan downed after Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake. However, it would take time to start alternate production in West Japan since additional material procurement is not easy.

Hachinohe Smelting produces distilled zinc (above 98.5% purity) and rectified zinc (above 99.995% purity) at total 110,000 tonnes per year, in which Mitsui Mining & Smelting holds approximately 85% shares. The plant was flooded by tsunami after the earthquake. Electric power supply has already recovered around the plant but the firm cannot electrify the facilities those which were damaged by salt water.

Mitsui Mining & Smelting considers alternate production at Kamioka Mining & Smelting in Gifu Prefecture, Japan and Hikoshima Smelting in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, those which are electrolytic zinc smelters of Mitsui Mining & Smelting Group. Output capacity is 72,000 tonnes per year at Kamioka and 84,000 tonnes per year at Hikoshima. Kamioka and Hikoshima are recently under 90% operations. Thus output can be increased by 15,000-16,000 tonnes theoretically.

However, it is actually difficult to increase zinc ore procurement for alternate production when ore supply is globally tightening and price conditions are low profitable for smelters. Mitsui Mining & Smelting also needs to secure recycling material which represents around 30% in total raw materials for zinc smelting.

DOWA Group’s Akita Zinc, a zinc smelting company in Akita Prefecture, Japan, also stops operation despite of no damage on production facilities. DOWA Holdings’ spokesperson explained the recommencement is still difficult with unstable electric power supply and crippled distribution.

Toho Zinc’s Annaka Refinery in Gunma Prefecture, Japan is also under suspension when Onahama Smelting & Refining in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan is stopping ore roasting process due to TEPCO’s power outage plan.