Indonesian tin producer PT Koba Tin has shipped 400 tonnes of tin ingot to Singapore, a port official told Reuters on Monday. Hundreds of smelter workers on Bangka had thwarted an initial attempt by the company to make the shipment on Friday, but the firm went ahead on Saturday, the head of Pangkalbalam port administration Elman Inik said.
Last week the Indonesian Tin Association (ITA) had threatened to use “people power” to support an export halt which came into force at the start of October. However trade ministry officials cleared 5,442 tonnes of tin for shipment that month, most of the tonnage being accounted for by exports by PT Timah to meet contract sales. PT Koba Tin – owned 75% by MSC and 25% by PT Timah – did not ship any tin last month. The ITA export restriction is due to continue until the end of December.
