China plans consolidation of metals industry as growth slows

Jan 25, 2012

The Chinese government’s five year plans for the period 2011-2015 are based on the assumption that growth in metals consumption in China will slow considerably from the very strong rates of the last five years. This should be matched by a slower growth in...

Big fall in December Chinese refined tin production

Jan 18, 2012

After strong growth earlier in 2011, Chinese refined tin production in December decreased by 38% year-on-year to 9,056 tonnes according to National Bureau of Statistics data. This was the lowest monthly production figure since February 2009.The NBS provisional annual...

China imports remain high

Jan 3, 2012

China imported 4,220 tonnes of refined tin in November, the highest monthly total since April 2009. Half of the imports were from Malaysia, which is believed to be reflect shipments from LME warehouses there. The total imports have arrived at 18,951 tonnes in the...

China refined tin imports soared in October

Nov 24, 2011

China imported 3,990 tonnes of refined tin in October, the highest level since April 2009, according to China Customs data. Most of imports were from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. The China domestic tin price has remained at a big premium to the LME from August...

Yunnan Tin maintenance shutdown

Nov 22, 2011

Yunnan Tin Company began a 35 day regular maintenance shutdown of its main smelter at Gejiu, Yunnan province on Sunday. “The maintenance will not have any impact on products other than tin ingots. It will also have a relatively small impact on company’s...

China cuts 2012 export quotas for tin

Nov 8, 2011

China released export quotas in 2012 for antimony, indium, tungsten, molybdenum and tin at the end of October. Most of minor metals export quotas are lower in 2012 than in 2011. Export quotas will fall by 5% for tin and tin products to 18,000 tonnes from...

Tin at the crossroads – Tin Industry Review 2011

Nov 7, 2011

ITRI’s latest detailed review of industry prospects concludes that there are still strong reasons to expect historically high tin prices 3-4 years ahead. Global demand should be around 400,000 tonnes a year by 2015, mineral resources at existing operations are...

China tin import surge in September

Oct 26, 2011

China’s tin imports surged to 3,610 tonnes in September, up by 125% on the previous month and 167% compared to September last year. It is the highest monthly level since April 2009. The jump reflects the very large premium of Chinese domestic market prices over...