Japan tin imports plummet

Mar 30, 2009

Japan’s imports of refined tin have dropped sharply in the first two months of 2009, as consumption has been badly affected by the global economic recession coupled with the strength of the yen. Imports in February amounted to only 1,210 tonnes, 60% lower than...

Timah confirms earnings slump

Mar 30, 2009

Indonesia’s state-controlled tin producer PT Timah today released audited financial results which showed that its net earnings fell by 25% in 2008 to Rp 1,342 billion (US$141 million). The company made a small net loss of Rp 149 billion ($13 million) in the...

China keeps importing tin

Mar 25, 2009

Official customs data released on Monday show China importing 1,095 tonnes of refined tin in February, while exporting just 4 tonnes of refined tin or alloy. Major suppliers of tin metal last month were Indonesia (509 tonnes) and Bolivia (202 tonnes). In the first two...

Bolivian production increases despite price crash

Mar 19, 2009

Newly released official data shows that Bolivia’s tin production rose last year despite the slump in prices in the final quarter. Mine production of tin-in-concentrate rose by 8.4% from 15,972 tonnes in 2007 to 17,320 tonnes in 2008. Most of the increase came...

Global tinplate recycling rates up

Mar 19, 2009

Following the release of EU data by APEAL last week, the World Steel Association (formerly IISI) yesterday confirmed that there was a global increase in recycling rates for steel cans in 2007. The Brussels based organisation said that 7.2 million metric tons of steel...

Police stop four Indonesian dredges

Mar 18, 2009

Marine police have stopped four cutter suctions dredges operating on PT Timah offshore mining leases under suspicion of having “inadequate licences” according local press and news agencies. "Every foreign ship must obtain an operating permit issued by...