Metals, Mineral Resources & Recycling Division

The iron and steel industry aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through initiatives that include transitioning from conventional blast furnace iron ore reduction using coking coal, to a blast furnace method that uses hydrogen for iron production. The global iron and steel industry also aims to reduce CO₂ emissions to one-fourth current levels in the 2030s by transitioning from a coking coal-based blast furnace method to a recycling-based electric arc furnace method that uses iron scraps as raw materials. In order to produce high-grade steel products with the electric arc furnace method, in addition to requiring high-quality iron scraps, it is necessary to use reduced iron that lowers the level of impurities. Securing high-grade iron ore will be indispensable in the production of reduced iron. At the end of 2024, Sojitz entered a basic agreement with iron ore producer Champion Iron Limited and Nippon Steel Corporation, for the joint ownership and development of Canada’s Kamistiatusset Project (Kami Project), beginning with a feasibility study. The company acquired stake to invest in the Kami Project in September 2025, and we are currently working to advance the feasibility study towards the production of DR quality iron ore.
The Metals, Mineral Resources & Recycling Division is considering investment in companies that develop technologies for the efficient collection of low impurity iron scraps and for handling high-quality and direct reduced iron materials.
The division is gradually withdrawing from its thermal coal interests to achieve sustainable growth and address rising global environmental awareness. We will maintain coal mine operations at Gregory Crinum mine in Australia to ensure stable production while pursuing cost reductions to achieve reliable supply during the transition to a decarbonized society.

In light of the growing demand for semiconductors and batteries, the minor metals used to create these essential products have been designated geopolitically as “critical minerals” due to their uneven global distribution. Securing a stable supply of these critical minerals over the medium to long term has become an urgent priority across Japan, Europe, and North America. The niobium produced by CBMM—a company we have partnered with for many years and in which we hold an equity stake—is expected to see continued growth in global demand as an additive for lightweighting steel used in automotive applications and beyond, and we are also working to develop new downstream applications, such as NTO batteries*² that offer ultra-fast charging and long service life.

In Australia, Sojitz and JOGMEC have established a joint venture company, Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd. (JAGA), to conduct a joint development study for gallium production in Australia. JAGA has signed a joint development agreement with the Australian subsidiary of leading U.S. based global aluminum producer Alcoa Corporation, to explore the feasibility of producing gallium at one of Alcoa’s Western Australian operating alumina refineries.
Gallium has a broad range of applications including LED, solar photovoltaic cells, and compound semiconductor materials. While rising demand for semiconductors is expected to further drive global demand for gallium, production of the critical mineral is concentrated in a number of countries.
Through the joint development in 2026, the division aims to achieve long-term and stable supply of the critical minerals.

*2 NTO batteries: A next-generation lithium-ion battery that uses niobium titanium oxide (NTO) as an anode material.

In the field of steel products, the division is pursuing synergies in growth markets through collaboration and support with partners Metal One Corporation, the integrated steel trading joint venture established together with Mitsubishi Corporation.
We are building the foundation for a circular economy business model that promotes reusing and recycling of metal resources and addresses the changing needs of society, such as the shift towards decarbonization and the efficient use of resources. Specifically, the division participates in the management of equity interests in Japan such as IT asset disposition company, TES-AMM JAPAN K.K, and eCycle Solutions Inc., a recycling business based in Canada that handles household appliances and electronic devices. Leveraging this industry knowledge, Sojitz launched “Hi-Kii”, Japan's first*³ quoting platform for companies’ IT asset disposition, in order to address recognized industry issues faced by user companies. The Metals, Mineral Resources & Recycling Division aims to develop businesses of scale in circular economy businesses for recycling metal and other waste.

*3: Sojitz study (carried out May 14th, 2025)