indonesia production down, same as china, page-2

Demand for Tin on the rise


PP
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Chinese tin production revives in April

Release date: 13 May 2009


Provisional data released today by China’s National Bureau of Statistics showed that refined tin production continued to recover in April. April production was reported at 12,472 tonnes, up 8.5% year-on-year. This is the first month this year that output has been higher than in 2008. Cumulative production in January-April, at 32,970 tonnes, is still 20.4% lower than in the first four months of 2008.

The pick up reflects improved demand and raw materials availability compared to most of the first quarter, although capacity utilisation at solder companies and other consumers is still estimated to be no more than 70 – 80% (versus 40 – 50% in January-February). Concentrate supply has improved as a result of the re-opening of small mines and the April production figures have probably also been boosted by the re-refining of metal imported in March.


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