Sumitomo Corp. plans to boost zinc production at its mine in Bolivia by 4 percent this year as the operation runs at full capacity, an executive said.

The company will raise output to 256,000 metric tons on a refined metal basis in 2010 from 246,000 tons in 2009 at its San Cristobal mine, Takahiro Izuta, the project's general manager, said.

Zinc has gained 27 percent in the past year as China, the fastest-growing major economy, and emerging markets drive demand for metals used in homes and cars. Trading houses in Japan are increasing overseas investment to secure supplies. China is the biggest consumer of the metal used to galvanize steel.