Tin exports from Indonesia's Bangka-Belitung islands fell marginally in March from a year ago but rose overall during the first quarter as more smelters received export permits, preliminary data showed on Monday. Tin exports slowed a year ago following a clampdown on illegal mining in the Bangka-Belitung islands, the main source of tin in Indonesia.
But since last year, the government has approved many export permits. Currently, there are 18 tin smelters allowed to export the metal, which is used as electronic solders and for corrosion resistance for other metals. Exports fell to 8,606.27 tonnes in March from 8,699.24 tonnes in the same month a year ago, but tin exports in March were up about 15.8 percent from an estimated 7,431 tonnes in February, trade ministry data showed.
Indonesia exported 25,951.94 tonnes in the first three months of this year, up 57 percent from 16,554.5 tonnes in the same period last year when the government introduced stricter tin export rules. All figures are from a surveyor's report.
Indonesia is the world's No 2 tin producer after China. A government crackdown on illegal tin mining in the Bangka-Belitung islands since late 2006 has led to the closure of several small smelters.
Following the crackdown, the government issued stringent rules for tin exports, including a government regulation stipulating only exports of refined tin would be allowed. Previously tin ore could also be exported.
Exports of refined tin from February 23, 2007, when the government applied new tin export rules, to the end of December 2007, were estimated at 86,304.52 tonnes. Indonesia has said it will keep production at 90,000-100,000 tonnes this year to maintain high prices.