News
Global tinplate recycling rates up

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...

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Police stop four Indonesian dredges

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...

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Korea agency continues purchases

South Korea has bought 100 tonnes of tin ingot for shipping by May 10 to the port of Busan and is seeking another 300 tonnes, the state-run Public Procurement Service said on Friday. The agency bought the first tranche at a premium of $360/tonne c.i.f. over the LME...

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Slump in China’s tin production

Preliminary base metals production figures released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics show that February refined tin production fell by 44% year-on-year to 4,530 tonnes. Cumulative production in January-February was only 9,645 tonnes, 43% lower than in...

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Russian steelmakers report better tinplate business

Russian steel companies Severstal and MMK have both reported high capacity utilisation rates at their tinplate operations in the USA and Russia respectively. In the case of Severstal’s business, tinplate is faring much better than other steel products in North...

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Indonesian shipments increase in February

Trade ministry data released today shows that the volume of tin checked for export from Indonesia in February rose by 15% relative to February 2008 to 8,534 tonnes. In addition several thousand tonnes of tin held up by customs in January was also released and shipped...

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Guangxi stockpile latest

Further information on planned stockpiling by China’s Guangxi province emerged at the weekend. China’s three main tin-producing provinces now all have stockpile plans in operation or planned, with Yunnan’s in effect since the start of the year and...

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Labour problems delay Bolivia-Glencore deal

Long-running negotiations to convert some of Glencore subsidiary Sinchi Wayra’s mines into joint ventures with state participation are now held up as a result of labour unrest, according to Bloomberg. The government has been mediating at talks between Sinchi...

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Indonesia delays LC rules

Indonesia has delayed a new trade rule covering payment for exports by up to six months because of strong opposition from exporters, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said on Thursday. However the postponement for tin is just a few weeks. The regulation would require...

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