Mitsui raises output at zinc smelting unit

Japan's Mitsui Mining & Smelting, the country's biggest refined zinc producer, said it will raise output at its Hachinohe smelter by 11% from April. The unit will produce 100,000 metric tonnes of concentrate from 90,000 tonnes in the current year. According to Nobuyuki Nakamoto, general manager of the zinc division, Hachinohe has capacity of 112,000 tonnes a year.

"Demand is strong following an increase in production by the steel sector for cars and brisk overseas sales, especially in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam", he said. While some plants are almost reaching full force, others are already there. Mitsui's Kamioka and Hikoshima smelters, with a combined capacity of 141,000 tonnes of zinc concentrate a year, are both operating at full capacity.