Key Japanese metal producers see their non-ferrous product output rising over October 2023-March 2024, on the back of enhanced production capacity and new investments in copper manufacturing.
The country's major metal producers mostly forecast production rising on the year for the period, according to data released by each producer.
Mitsui Mining and Smelting (MMS) forecasts zinc and lead production rising by 9.8pc and 3.7pc, respectively. This was largely because of enhanced production capacity at its Hachinohe smelter following large-scale maintenance conducted during March and April, according to MMS.
Mitsubishi Materials said it predicts its copper production rising by 34pc on the year to 217,002t, largely because the company newly acquired 100pc ownership of Onahama Smelting and Refining in April. The higher output guidance is also partly because there is no regular maintenance planned during the period.
But Dowa expects a sharp fall in its copper output to 4,167t, down by 88pc from the same period last year. The reduction came after the closure of copper production under third-party contracts by the end of March, the company's representative told Argus. But the company forecasts its lead production to rise by 10pc because of higher output under third-party contracts, the representative added.
| Japan's non-ferrous metals output forecast (t) | |||
| Oct '23 -Mar '24 | Oct '22 -Mar '23 | y-o-y± % | |
| Mitsui Mining & Smelting | |||
| Zinc | 117,800 | 107,300 | 9.8 |
| Lead | 36,200 | 34,900 | 3.7 |
| Mitsubishi Materials | |||
| Copper | 217,002 | 161,886 | 34.0 |
| Lead | 15,066 | 15,042 | 0.2 |
| Dowa | |||
| Copper | 4,167 | 33,682 | -87.6 |
| Lead | 6,121 | 5,567 | 10.0 |
| Zinc | 93,271 | 97,203 | -4.0 |
| Source: Companies | |||
