Ferro-Nickel Smelting at Hyuga Smelter

Abstract

Hyuga Smelting Co., Ltd. established by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. started the production of ferro-nickel at Hososhima, Miyazaki prefecture, in September 1956, which is now owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.(60%); Nippon Steel Corporation (25%); and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.(15%).
In accordance with the rapid increase of the market demands, the company made a steady growth, expanding the production capacity several times. Because the further expansion required greater productivity and broader acres, the new plant was built at the present site in the second section of Hyuga coastal industrial quarter adopting the Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace process, in 1968.
Since the improvement of the process, the development of low grade ore treatment technology, the development of new products and the energy curtailment of the whole plant have been achieved, Hyuga Smelter has become one of the most advanced coastal ferro-nickel smelters, boasting of most modern facilities and incompetitive technical knowledge.