More problems for Tasmanian tin projects
Stonehenge Metals announced that it was putting its small Heemskirk operation in Tasmania on care and maintenance as a result of operating problems and low prices. In a statement on 5 November the company said: “The commissioning of the Heemskirk treatment plant...
NOK defaults on bonds
The financial problems of Russia’s only tin smelter have deepened. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Novosibirsk Tin Integrated Works (NOK ) Vladimir Sherstov said that the plant failed to raise RUR347 million (US$12.9 million) to redeem bonds. A technical...
Indonesian supply cuts confirmed
Preliminary data released by Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade today, shows a sharp fall in metal approved for export in October. Meanwhile state tin company PT Timah confirmed that it expects to produce only 45,000 tonnes this year, implying a 50% plus fall in...
Leading Chinese producers cut production
Most of China’s larger tin producers have announced production cuts in response to low prices and weaker demand. Yunnan Tin Company, the world's largest tin producer, said it plans to cut output by about 30% in the fourth quarter. The fall in tin prices has...
Metals X hit by market conditions, start-up delays
Metals X’s plans to establish a major tin production base at the Renison project in Tasmania are running behind schedule, although the Mt Bischoff mine is reported to be working at full planned capacity. However the company’s plans to start by-product...
Timah reports strong Q3 production but falling margins
Indonesia’s state-controlled tin producer PT Timah reported year-on-year increases in both mine and refined tin production in the third quarter, but rapidly rising costs greatly eroded operating margins. In its third quarter financial results, released today,...
Bolivia responds to metals price crisis
The Bolivian government has responded to the recent slump in metals prices by making more funds available to small-scale producers, while the county’s largest tin mine is to boost ore throughput to try to maintain cash flow, according to local press reports...
Peru tin production increasing
Both mine production and refined tin production by Peru’s only tin producer, Minsur SA, is up on year-ago levels in the first three quarters of 2008. Data on non-ferrous metals production released by the Ministry of Mines and Energy on Monday showed that mine...
China tightens controls on tin exports
China’s Ministry of Commerce has introduced further controls on tin exports, in addition to the reduction in quota tonnages for 2009 announced two weeks ago. Reuters reports that in future export licences will only be granted to companies with various minimum...