REFILE-Sumitomo Metal Harima smelter to resume output May 6

TOKYO, April 1 (Reuters) - Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd , Japan's second-largest copper smelter, said on Thursday that production at its Harima Smelter is scheduled to resume from May 6.

The Harima plant, which produces zinc and lead, has been undergoing large scale regular maintenance since March 18 this year, the company said.

Sumitomo Metal also said its Niihama Nickel Refinery will be shut for four days in May and four days in November for regular maintenance.

The company's Hyuga Smelter for ferronickel will be closed for 21 days in May-June 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 2010, is scheduled to finish with production resuming at the end of August, it said.

Earlier this month, the company said it has no regular maintenance and repair work planned for 2010/11 at its Toyo Smelter & Refinery, which produces copper among others.

(Reporting by Chikako Mogi)

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