Maelanga meets Japan's vice foreign minister.Monday, 14 February...

Maelanga meets Japan's vice foreign minister.

Monday, 14 February 2011.

Hon. Manasseh Maelanga on Friday met with Japan's Parliamentary vice Minister for Foreign Affairs , Ms Makiko Kikuta in Honiara.

The two leaders acknowledged the warm relations between Solomon Islands and Japan and further reaffirmed their commitments to strengthen that relationship.

Vice Foreign Minister Makiko expressed her government's gratitude to the government of Solomon Islands for utilizing various assistances from the Government of Japan.

She particularly, thanked the Government of Solomon Islands for awarding Japanese Mining Company, the Sumitomo Metal Mining group to carry out nickel mining in Isabel Province.

She hoped that the mining operation will improve the economy of Solomon Islands.

Deputy Prime Minster Maelanga expressed his gratitude for the Vice Minister's visit and thanked the Government and People of Japan for their ongoing assistance to Solomon Islands in various sectors.

He said Japan is one of Solomon Islands major development partners for many years.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/
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Sumitomo Metal Mining: To Spend Y14B To Up Electrolytic Nickel Output.

TOKYO, Feb 14, 2011 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex)

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. said Tuesday that it will spend Y14 billion over the next three years to boost production capacity of electrolytic nickel by nearly 60%.
The Japanese company said it will spend that amount to boost electrolytic nickel capacity at its plant in Ehime, western Japan to 65,000 metric tons from the current 41,000 tons. At the same time, it will raise production capacity of electrolytic cobalt to 4,500 tons from 2,000 tons. The completion of the production boost is slated in the April-June quarter of 2013. Sumitomo has said it aims to raise its total nickel production to 100,000 tons a year by 2013, compared with its current capacity of about 69,000 tons.

The company said it hopes ample deposits in the Solomon Islands could help it achieve its longer-term goal of a capacity of 150,000 tons.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/