Refined tin exports jumped to 15,103 tonnes, the most since records began in February 2007 when the government started compiling the data, from 2,202 tonnes in November, Toto Rusbianto, head of mining exports at the Trade Ministry, told Bloomberg. Sales were 7,722 tonnes in December 2010, according to data from the ministry. This preliminary data is based on checks on tin prior shipment made by surveying companies working for the ministry.
The country, which represents about 40% of global shipments, exported 96,020 tons last year, a 4% increase from 2010, the ministry said in a statement. Sales to Singapore were 76,282 tonnes, or 79% of the total, it said.
The December surge follows the collapse of an export halt called by producers at the end of September. However total shipments in the October-December quarter during which the halt supposedly applied were down by around 11% on the final quarter of 2010. ITRI expects that shipments in January-February will be back at normal levels of some 6,000 – 7,000 tonnes per month, with volumes limited by the impact of monsoon weather conditions on offshore mining activity.
