A spokesman for Bolivia’s Mining Ministry told BNAmericas that it was not concerned about the large stocks of tin at the country’s Vinto smelter. Some 2,400 tonnes of metal are currently held at the plant.
The official said that "keeping tin in storage does not harm the company since it holds a year-long supply agreement with Glencore. It is merely storing metal that will leave sooner or later." The 12,000 tpy smelter was expropriated from the Swiss trading company in February.
Meanwhile the Vinto enterprise is seeking new outlets and expects that Glencore will comply with a recent agreement to send a letter to big buyers in the region explaining that there is no threat of possible legal problems if they purchase the tin.
Repairs on the plant’s electric furnace were completed in early September, although one of the reverberatory furnaces is due to be closed for maintenance in November/December. September tin production was estimated at 800 tonnes.
