Refined tin shipments from Indonesia, the world’s top exporter, rose 5.4 % in January to 9,154.71 tonnes from 8,689.20 tonnes in the December, a trade ministry official told Reuters on Monday. Indonesian refined tin exports for January were 70% higher compared with 5,380.43 tonnes in the same period last year. This preliminary data is based on checks made by surveying companies prior to shipment as part of the ministry’s export licencing system.
The January tonnage is surprisingly high given that production at this time of year is usually constrained by monsoon weather conditions. The latest numbers confirm that higher prices have stimulated a surge in small-scale mining activity, offsetting lower production by Indonesia’s two integrated producers, PT Timah and PT Koba Tin. Koba has ceased production since last October pending the outcome of an application to extend its contract of work which is due to expire at the end of March. Cumulative tonnage checked by the surveyors in the twelve months to end-January is 102,591 tonnes according to ITRI’s records.
