November 21, 2008

Police continue to block tin supplies from Bangka Island

ITRI reported that action by police on Indonesia’s Bangka Island aimed at controlling ore shipments from illegal mining continues to affect tin supplies from the island. As per report, state owned tin company PT Timah is now facing delays in shipping refined tin, ore supplies to a private smelter have been seized and PT Koba Tin remains out of operation.

PT Timah, Indonesia's largest tin producer, said exports of the refined metal are now being delayed after local police seized and sealed a boat containing ore on February 22nd 2008, blocking access for the mining company's overseas shipments.

Mr Abrun Abubakar told Bloomberg in an interview that “We want to export, but the boat that is being investigated is in the way. Exports are being delayed, and we expect to resume on the 10th.”

PT Timah ships ore and metal through its private port near its Mentok smelter.