Reuters reported that Mitsui Mining and Smelting Company plans to boost zinc production at two factories in western Japan.

A company official said after operations at its Hachinohe zinc smelter were halted by a devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan on March 11.

The official said that 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.

He said that 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.

(Sourced from Reuters)