The Current Situation of the Japanese Nonferrous Mining Industry

In the long term, worldwide consumption of nonferrous metals is steadily rising as a result of improvements in economic growth accompanied by an increasing population. In particular, consumption in Asia is following a trend of rapid growth which is expected to far exceed the world average. Under the current state of overseas ore dependence in Japan, to secure the stable supply of mineral resources is one of the key issues facing the Japanese nonferrous metals industry. We are encouraging those responsible in the Japanese mining industry to positively conduct overseas exploration activities, in order to locate promising deposits, strengthen international competitiveness and expand their contribution to the international mining sector.