Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd has announced that its Niihama Nickel Refinery will be shut for 4 days in May 2010 and 4 days in November 2010 for regular maintenance. The company’s Hyuga Smelter for ferronickel will be closed for 21 days in May to June period for repairs on one production line and 25 days in November for a second production line. Also, the renewal of one line of double furnaces, which has been underway since February 2009, is scheduled to finish with production resuming at the end of August 2010.
