Source:  ITRI Ltd

The following is a summary of the information circulated by ITRI Ltd.  For more details and the original text please visit http://www.itri.co.uk.

Indonesian tin volume slower in March (11 Apr 2012)

Records of refined tin shipments from Indonesia show that the tonnage of tin metal checked prior to shipment in March was 8,608 tonnes, 4.9% down compared to 9,052 tonnes a year ago but 3.4% higher than the total checked in February 2012.

Total tin checked in Q1 2012 was 22,313 tonnes, 2.8% lower than Q1 2011.  The final official export total for 2011 was 97,402 tonnes. (The preliminary figure reported was 96,020 tonnes).

Source:  ITRI Ltd

The following is a summary of the information circulated by ITRI Ltd.  For more details and the original text please visit http://www.itri.co.uk.

No plan for Indonesian tax rise (04 Apr 2012)

According to Harya Adityawarman, secretary at the Directorate General of Coal and Minerals at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry they have not formally made a proposal to impose export taxes of 25% or 50% on unprocessed minerals, a plan suggested by the Industry Ministry.  Exports of unprocessed minerals are due to halted by 2014.  As for tin, it has been illegal to export tin ore and concentrates since 2002.

Deputy Trade Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi told reporters that the (imposition of) tax is an option but it has to be seen whether the policy is in conflict with the mining law.  The immediate policy is to ban exports, and not imposing an export tariff.

Source:  ITRI Ltd

The following is a summary of the information circulated by ITRI Ltd.  For more details and the original text please visit http://www.itri.co.uk.

MSC secures long-term future for Rahman Hydraulic mine (27 Mac 2012)

Malaysia Smelting Corporation Bhd (MSC) has reached agreement with the Perak state government on a new mining lease for its wholly-owned subsidiary Rahman Hydraulic Tin Sdn Bhd, which will run until 2030.  RHT is the largest tin mine in Malaysia, producing some 1,800 tpy of tin-in-concentrate.  Under the new agreement the royalty rate paid to the state will double from 2.5% to 5% effective from this month.

The extension of the current mining leases will enable RHT to undertake the necessary additional investments to optimise its long-term production level at the mine.  MSC acquired RHT in 2004 and has since invested in substantial exploration and rehabilitation work.

Source:  ITRI Ltd

The following is a summary of the information circulated by ITRI Ltd.  For more details and the original text please visit http://www.itri.co.uk.

China mine production still constrained (21 Mac 2012)

Smelters in China remain very concerned about raw material supply constraints.

Nevertheless, two big tin mines in Nandan county, Guangxi, affected by the closure of mines in the province because of cadmium pollution by two zinc smelters, have recently been allowed to restart.  The Gaofeng and Tongkeng mines, owned by the China Tin group have been out of action since the Spring Festival.  Together they account for about 9,000 tonnes of (tin-in-concentrate?) production per year.  The smaller mines in Guangxi are still awaiting permission to re-start.

Meanwhile Yunnan province is facing a very serious drought which may affect power supply because most electricity in Yunnan is generated by hydro power.  In addition, the local government is clamping down on mines and mineral processors in order to reduce environmental pollution.  Some 60 small mines and processors are closed currently.

China’s refined tin and mine production in February were 11,844 tonnes and 5,000 tonnes, up by 3.4% and no change y-o-y, respectively.