Reuters reported that Indonesian state miner PT Timah Tbk expects to sell 49,000 tonnes of refined tin in 2010, little changed from 2009.
Mr Setyo Sarjono operations director of Timah said that “Sales may be unchanged from 2009 at around 49,000 tonnes. We are still very cautious because demand for tin is not yet fully recovering.”
Mr Wachid Usman president director of Timah said that company is looking at ways to increase sales to new markets, in particular in North America. Timah typically sells nearly 90% of its refined tin production to customers such as electronics and tin plate manufacturers under annual contracts, while the remainder is sold on a spot basis when prices are attractive.
Mr Sarjono said that the firm is considering buying new coal mines in East Kalimantan next year due to depleting reserves. We are currently considering two coal mines in East Kalimantan for acquisition in 2010.
He said that Timah plans to boost tin production from offshore mines by adding four suction dredge units 2010 on top of the seven suction dredges it currently has. Company expects to produce between 23,000 tonne and 24,000 tonnes of tin ore from its offshore mines 2010. It produced 13,440 tonnes of tin ore in the first 9th months of 2009. He added that we expect to increase production from offshore mines to 70% of the total production within the next 3 years.
(Sourced from Reuters)
