FACTBOX-Restarts of idled mines and metal plants

Nov 10 (Reuters) - Encouraged by higher prices, some metal producers have started to reverse earlier cutbacks and project delays, prompted around mid-2008 by plunging demand.

But for metals such as aluminium and nickel, where more cuts are still needed, such moves come on top of on-schedule start-ups of new operations and threaten to keep the market in surplus for longer than most.

Some analysts are also concerned that more zinc producers, who were fast to curtail output as demand slumped, might rush to reopen at current prices.

Below are details of restarts of capacity previously idled by low prices and poor demand.

Nov 9 - Breakwater Resources (BWR.TO) said it considering reopening its Langlois zinc mine in Quebec. [ID:nN06248946]

Nov 7 - Zambia's largest cobalt producer, Chambishi Metals Plc has restarted production. Operations suspended last December. [ID:nL7702317]