Japan Nonferrous Metal Smelters Reduce Energy Consumption by 14% in F2008

Japan Mining Industry Association reported on Wednesday Japanese nonferrous metal smelting industry succeeded in reducing specific energy consumption by 14.3% in fiscal 2008 (April 2008-March 2009) compared with fiscal 1990, announced at a meeting of mineral and energy working group of environment committee under industrial structure council held Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry. The reducing rate lowered by 2.1 points from fiscal 2007 but maintained higher than initial target set at 12% for fiscal 2010.

In fiscal 2008, Japanese nonferrous metal smelting industry reduced energy consumption by 34,500 kiloliters at crude oil equivalent and carbon oxide (CO2) emission by 91,100 tonnes. The industry is expected to reduce energy consumption by 27,530 kiloliters in fiscal 2009 and by 46,660 kiloliters for fiscal 2010-2012, explained Japan Mining Industry Association.

On the other hand, the association suggested energy reducing target cannot be raised additionally. Smelters would become to consume more ores and their energy consumption may increase in a medium term because ore grade is lowering. Output increase of ferronickel is also planned, which accounts for 34% in total energy consumption.