The Base Metal Department handles copper, lead, zinc, and other raw material concentrates, copper, lead, tin, and other ingots, and copper products such as copper wire rod, billets, and cakes.Copper, lead, and zinc concentrates are produced from mines in North and South America, Asia, Oceania and elsewhere.The crude ores extracted from mines undergo processes such as grinding (crushing the ores into small pieces) and dressing (adding chemicals and other agents, and stirring to extract the metallic portion), and are shipped on bulk carriers in the form of powder concentrates with higher metal content.We sell concentrates and other materials from mines in which Mitsubishi Corporation holds equity interest.

Copper ingots have outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity and are highly malleable. After processing into wires, rolled forms, and other products, copper is consumed by the construction, consumer electronics, electric power, automotive and other industries.Lead, with its high recycling rate, is used in batteries, inorganic chemicals, and radiation shields, and due to its low melting point, tin is widely used in solder, tin plating, and chemical products.Through the global Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Group and Mitsubishi Corporation networks, we procure ingots from suppliers inside and outside Japan, and supply these products to customers in Asia.

Primary Aluminium ingot is a raw material used to manufacture rolled, extruded, cast, forged, and other aluminium products. Pure aluminuium (more than 99.70%) is extracted from alumina, which was refined from bauxite, through smelting process. We purchase primary aluminium ingots from aluminium smelters throughout the world and deliver to customers not only in Japan, but also in Asia region. We also propose optimal supply sources to meet customer needs for stable supply and high quality in areas such as the aluminium alloy material for automobile parts for aluminium wheels and the aluminium slabs and billets that are the raw materials for rolling and extrusion manufacturing.

In the current growing trend toward decarbonization in the global society, the need for recycling used materials and developing new technologies is rapidly increasing in the industrial world. We are developing multangular businesses with partner companies, focusing on recycling and alloy businesses, which are indispensable for meeting the decarbonation need.

The Aluminium Department will continue supply raw materials which are required in Japan and other Asian countries with the function of aluminium price hedging and transportation arrangement to customer’s demand points by utilizing the global industrial network of the Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Group to ensure stable procurement. Then, we will also contribute to the future development of industry and strive for the realization of decarbonization society through elevation of recycled materials and aluminium alloy businesses by capturing the most advanced need of industry.