Mitsui Mining to Boost Zinc Output in West Japan

TOKYO, Mar. 22 -- Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co plans to boost zinc production at two factories in western Japan, a company official said on Tuesday, after operations at its Hachinohe zinc smelter were halted by a devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on March 11.

Mitsui Mining plans to boost zinc output at its facilities in Kamioka in Gifu Prefecture and Hikoshima in Yamaguchi Prefecture to offset losses at Hachinohe, which produces 85,000 tonnes annually but has no prospects of resuming at this point, the official said.

The Kamioka facility has annual capacity of 72,000 tonnes but currently produces 66,000 tonnes a year, while Hikoshima's capacity is 84,000 tonnes versus annual production of 73,000 tonnes, the official said.

Mitsui Mining has three zinc smelting facilities in Japan.