Japan’s second biggest copper smelter, Sumitomo Mining, has set a 201,000t copper production target for the period of October 2009 to March 2010.

The target, which signifies a 0.9% year-on-year decrease, was set by Sumitomo in April, the beginning of the company’s business year.

A company spokesman told Reuters that Sumitomo was maintaining the 7% output curbs initiated early this year.

Japan’s smelters have been compelled to decrease output as manufacturers reduce production due to the global economic slump.