Japan Zinc Output Rises by 5% in July

Japanese zinc output increased by 5% to 42,555 tonnes in July from a year earlier, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The output increased when Mitsui Mining & Smelting expanded the capacity at Hikoshima smelter in Yamaguchi. The zinc shipment increased by 1.9% to 16,035 tonnes while the inventory increased by 11.4% to 18,798 tonnes. The rolled copper output increased by 2.3% to 86,616 tonnes in July from a year earlier. The shipment increased by 2.7% to 85,111 tonnes while the inventory decreased by 2.3% to 32,587 tonnes. The flat rolled aluminium output increased by 7% to 127,466 tonnes in July from a year earlier. The shipment increased by 6.9% to 122,359 tonnes while the inventory was flat at 69,483 tonnes. The aluminium foil output increased by 3.2% to 11,787 tonnes. The shipment increased by 0.6% to 11,740 tonnes while the stock decreased by 4.6% to 6,597 tonnes.