Toho Zinc Plans 2-Month Idle for Zinc Production to Save Energy Cost

Toho Zinc announced on Thursday the firm stops operation at Annaka zinc smelter for around 2 months from July 12 to September 5. The firm tries to minimize the power cost when the electricity cost increases during summer. The firm plans same volume of zinc production in first half of fiscal 2012 started April as same period of fiscal 2011.

Electrolytic zinc production needs 4,000 kilowatt of power per 1 tonne of product. The power consumption is 10 times of electrolytic copper. The firm tries to avoid consumption of high priced electricity during summer when Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) plans major price hike.

The firm plans 42,502 tonnes of zinc production in the first half of fiscal 2012, which is 33% lower than the output in second half of fiscal 2011. The firm keeps the shipment based on the inventory. The firm plans normal production in second half of fiscal 2012.

The firm plans 47,700 tonnes of lead production at Chigirishima smelter in the first half of fiscal 2012, which is 6% lower than same period of fiscal 2011. The silver production decreases by 11% to 154 tonnes.