Preliminary data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that March output of refined tin in China rose by 14.3% year-on-year to 12,121 tonnes. Cumulative production in the first quarter of 2010 was 32,596 tonnes, up 53.1% compared to the same period of 2009, when many major smelters shut down or cut production following the global economic crisis.
The March figure is in line with ITRI’s previously published estimate. ITRI forecasts that China’s production this year will be little changed from 2009, at some 131,000 tonnes. Currently drought conditions in southwest China are adversely affecting mine production in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, but have not yet had a significant impact on power supplies to the main smelters. However a continuation of the drought could result in both raw material and power shortages in the next few months.
