TOKYO, April 11 -- Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co said on Monday it plans to resume operations by early June at its Hachinohe zinc smelter, which has been shut since a massive earthquake and tsunami hit northeastern Japan on March 11.

Before the quake, Mitsui Mining had planned to halt operations at the smelter from late March for regular maintenance, which the company conducts once every three years.

The company said its Hachinohe zinc operations will resume after quake-related restoration and the maintenance were completed.