三井電満アイルランド株式会社コーク工場の建設と操業の確立

抄録

As early as 1918 the preparation of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide (EMD), by electrolysing a manganese sulphate solution, was reported. However, a few decades passed before production on an industrial scale was initiated.
The Takehara Plant of Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., (MMS), was the first to produce EMD in Japan on the scale of 5 ton/month in 1948. Since that time production has grown rapidly, particularly in the last decade. The Takehara Plant has been one of the largest producers of high quality EMD with top level technology.
In March, 1973, after many years of study and investigation, MMS decided to build a new overseas plant to meet with increasing demand at the site in Little Island, 5 miles south-east of Cork city and port. A basic agreement with the Industrial Development Authority of Ireland was signed.
The construction of the site started in February, 1974, and was completed in May, 1976. Plant operation began immediately and has successfully continued to date.
Inflation started by the oil crisis in 1973 caused a substantial increase of initial investment and delay of construction. However, due to the efforts of everyone concerned in the construction, the effects were kept at the minimum.
This is the first electrolysis plant to be built and operated in Ireland.
Outline of the Plant: 1. Products: EMD, called MITSUI DENMAN (raw material for Dry Batteries).
2. Capacity: 12, 000t per annum approximately 13% equivalent of world production.
3. Material Ore: Rhodochrosite imported from Ghana, Africa (Mn 30%).
4. Ore Consumption: 36, 000t per annum.