News Release

JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (President: Murayama Seiichi; "the Company") has acquired a large site in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture for the purpose of constructing a new factory. Details of investment in plant and equipment will be decided at a later date, but the investment will be the Company's largest ever in the advanced materials field. The facility will become a major new base for the JX Nippon Mining & Metals Group in new business relating to advanced materials such as crystalline materials in addition to the existing growth areas of sputtering targets for semiconductors, rolled copper foil, and high functionality copper alloy strips.

　

The Company traces its roots back to the start of operations at the Hitachi Mine in Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture in 1905. It still has several production bases in the prefecture, including key sites such as the Hitachi Works and the Isohara Works. The Company has especially deep ties to the prefecture, and the region is vital to its business. Located in Hitachinaka, in the central part of Ibaraki, the site acquired has area of approximately 240,000 m².

　

The site is close to the Hitachi Works and the Isohara Works and provides good access to the Company's head office, enabling integrated management with these other bases. As well as further strengthening collaboration among all these sites, the Company will consider relocating some head office functions to Ibaraki Prefecture.

　

In the immediate future there is pressing demand for advanced materials including sputtering targets for semiconductors, rolled copper foil, and high functionality copper alloy strips. Promptly building supply systems capable of responding to the anticipated ongoing healthy demand environment is an urgent challenge. In addition, crystalline materials are expected to become a thriving new business, as a sharp increase in optical communications in the forthcoming 6G era is projected to drive dramatic growth.

　

The total amount to be invested in the new factory will be closely examined based on details of investment in plant and equipment yet to be decided, but at present is expected to be around 200 billion yen. The new factory will start operating progressively from early FY2025. Ultimately it will be a major production base with a workforce of 500 or more, and as such will contribute to the regional economy and employment creation.

　

Since many of the Company's advanced materials have top global market shares and are essential to advances in data communications, there are strong worldwide calls for stable supply. The construction of this new factory is a crucial step contributing to such supply. The Company will continue to take steps towards being a technology-based firm, as set out in the JX Nippon Mining & Metals Group Long-Term Vision 2040, and aims to become a global corporation contributing to development and innovation in society with advanced materials.

　

Reference Materials

(1) Image of the Completed Facility (tentative)

　

　

(2) New Site Details

Location	Shinkocho, Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture
Area	Approx. 240,000m2
Products to be manufactured (under consideration)	Sputtering targets for semiconductors, rolled copper foil, high functionality copper alloy strips, and crystalline materials
Employees (tentative)	500 or more
Start of operations (tentative)	To begin progressively from FY2025