Indonesia’s state-controlled tin company PT Timah plans to increase its mine output by some 20 – 30% in 2010, a company spokesmen told the Antara news agency on Wednesday. "In 2010 we expect our tin ore production to reach 45,000 to 50,000 tonnes," company spokesman Wirtza Firdaus said. "We are optimistic the target will be met." Timah produced 37,701 tonnes of tin-in-concentrate in 2009, including purchases from small mines.
He said the company now has eight of its own new cutter suction dredges and plans to build bigger ones to achieve the production target. Meanwhile it will also seek to optimize its downstream production of tin chemicals and solder products, although this was proving challenging. "We still have technological constraints and expert shortages. We only have a few experts for downstream production," he said.
