Sumitomo Metal Mining : End of Production of Zinc Products at Harima Smelter

Press Release
October 20, 2014
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.

End of Production of Zinc Products at Harima Smelter

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. ("SMM", Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Yoshiaki Nakazato) has decided to discontinue production of prime western grade zinc, anode materials for electrolytic zinc plating, and alloys for hot-dip galvanizing (hereinafter referred to as "prime western grade zinc etc.") at its Harima Smelter (located in Harima-cho, Kako-gun, Hyogo). This production will be discontinued at the end of September
2015.
SMM's business in consigned manufacture and sale of electrolytic zinc for Akita Zinc Co., Ltd. (located in Akita-city, Akita), in which SMM holds an interest, and that in zinc recycling at Shisaka Smelting Co., Ltd. (located in Imabari-city, Ehime) are going to continue as they have so far.
Harima Smelter manufactures nickel sulfate for secondary battery materials. It was in order to respond to the needs for increased production of this product along with expansion of the demand for secondary battery materials that SMM made the decision to discontinue the production of prime western grade zinc etc., for more effective use of the limited space and production personnel (for more details, please see today's press release titled "Increased Production of Nickel Sulfate at Harima Smelter").
In order to avoid inconveniencing the customers for SMM prime western grade zinc etc. as far as possible, we shall deal with the needs of each customer individually, through MS Zinc Co., Ltd., our joint venture for zinc business with MITSUI MINING & SMELTING CO., LTD.

Address inquiries concerning this Press Release to:

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
Masashi Takahashi, Public Relations & Investor Relations Department
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]