The volume of refined tin checked for export from Indonesia in January was 9,914 tonnes, a trade ministry official told Reuters today. The figure is based on reports from two surveying companies which inspect tin prior to export as part of the new export licensing system introduced on February 23 last year.
Hartojo Agus Tjahjono, a director at the ministry, told reporters that the January figure compares with 3,330 tonnes in December and 5,716 tonnes in January 2007. However it is not clear how the January 2007 was obtained, as this pre-dates the beginning of the surveying and licensing system. Official Indonesian customs figures for January 2007 show exports of 3,127 tonnes.
It is likely that last month’s shipments are higher than a year ago, as at that time all the independent smelters on Bangka and Belitung were shut down. There are currently 14 independent smelters licenced to export, although trade sources indicate that volumes shipped recently have been seasonally low due to bad monsoon weather.
