Several recently re-licensed independent tin smelters are expected to make their first shipments of refined tin from Bangka island in the next day or two.
Since the introduction of a new export licence system at the end of February only the state-controlled PT Timah has continued to make regular shipments. The country’s second largest producer, PT Koba Tin, made its first recent shipment of 475 tonnes under the new system on 26 April. Koba is also planning to make a second shipment this week.
Apart from the two main producers, 10 independent smelters have now received export licences, but various other regulations may still be invoked to restrict shipments, including controls on tin metal purity and on the sourcing of ore.
In a related development, the owners of the three largest independent smelters, CV DS Jaya Abadi, CV Bangka Putra Karya and CV Donna Kembara Jaya were acquitted on Monday of charges of operating without proper licences and evading payment of royalties. However the prosecutor in the case has appealed against the court decision.
