Global tin production sees modest decline in 2023

2023 saw global refined tin production of 370,100 t, representing a decline of 2.1% from 2022. Approximately 59% of this tin originated from just ten leading smelters, whose collective output increased by 856 t. The top two producers remain unchanged, with Yunnan Tin...

MSC sets force majeure deadline

Major tin smelter Malaysian Smelting Corporation (MSC) has set the date on which it will lift its force majeure. In a note sent to ITA by MSC, the company announced that it will no longer be acting under the clause from midnight on 20 December 2021. The force majeure...

Omicron variant delays MSC lifting force majeure

The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is delaying Malaysia Smelting Corporation’s ability to lift its force majeure. Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC) has been in a force majeure since June 2021 due to the shutdown enforced by Malaysia’s government in...

MSC to lift force majeure, smelter switch imminent

Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC) will end the year on a positive note, following commissioning of its new smelter and news that its force majeure will soon be lifted. MSC is one of the world’s largest tin smelters, producing some 22,400 tonnes in 2020 – the third...

Renison shipments reorganised in wake of MSC disruption

Metals X, half-owner of the Renison Tin Mine, has issued a notice regarding the situation concerning Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC). Tin concentrates produced at Renison are typically shipped to Malaysia, Thailand, or China – the primary destinations for...

KLTM suspends tin trading after MSC force majeure

The Kuala Lumpur Tin Market (KLTM) tin trading was suspended with effect from 9 June until further notice. There are no transactions occurring as a result of a decision by Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC) to invoke force majeure on 7 June. A Malaysian COVID...

Malaysian MCO halts MSC production

MSC will be closed until the 9 June due to the new COVID lockdown issued in Malaysia. The company has confirmed to ITA that earlier reports that the company would cease all smelting operations from 3 June were correct. The company may close for a further five days...

MSC “no longer able to handle usual volume”

Malaysia Smelting Corporation (MSC) has published a notice to suppliers detailing continued issues at its Butterworth smelter. Last week, the company announced failures at two of its furnaces at Butterworth, with another being rebricked. Now, the letter to suppliers,...

MSC furnaces fail amidst smelter move

Malaysia Smelting Corporation, the world’s third-largest refined tin producer, is having issues at its Butterworth smelter. The Butterworth smelter has five reverberatory furnaces, with annual capacity of some 25,000 tonnes. FastMarkets has reported that two of...

YTC comes out top in difficult year for tin producers

2020 was a difficult year for tin producers. In many countries, the spread of the coronavirus saw lockdown measures that closed smelters and halted production. In total, ITA estimates that 327,200 tonnes of refined tin were produced in 2020. This was a nearly 8% drop...