Only three Indonesian tin companies are so far ready to meet new export rules due to be introduced next month, Reuters reported, quoting Jabin Sufianto, president of the Indonesian Association of Tin Exporters (AETI). From 1 November Indonesian tin exporters must obtain so-called “clean and clear” (CnC) certification for their mining leases as a requirement for the issue of a long-term export licence. This is part of the ministry of trade regulation 33/2015 which took effect from the beginning of August. The regulation resulted in no exports being made in August, before a gradual revival in sales through September and October. However this additional constraint is expected to result in a second hiatus now.
Exports made in the last two months have been made under temporary (6 month) Permission to Export letters, which ITRI understands have been granted to 18 companies, including state tin company PT Timah and leading private smelters. The identities of the three companies eligible for full export licences have not been revealed, although PT Timah had so far achieved CnC clearance for “more than 50 percent” of its concession areas, Corporate Secretary Agung Nugroho told Reuters.
Exports in January-September 2015, based on pre-shipment checks made by surveying companies, amounted to 52,079 tonnes, down by 10.4% on the corresponding period of 2014. ICDX October sales up 29 October have totalled 6,960 tonnes, although volumes have been much lower this week.
