SHANGHAI, Jan. 25 -- China's imports of refined tin in December amounted to 1,176 tonnes, bringing the annual total in 2009 to a record 20,741 tonnes, up 108% on the previous year. Customs data released on Thursday also showed booming imports of all other LME metals. The main sources of tin metal were Indonesia and Bolivia. Reported refined tin exports were less than 3 tonnes in December and 685 tonnes in the whole year, with Singapore the main destination.

China's tin concentrate imports were 1,387 tonnes in December and 10,207 tonnes in the full year. Bolivia has been the largest source of imported ore, accounting for 1,054 tonnes (76%) of the December total and supplying 5,645 tonnes in the year (55% of the total). The other main source was Myanmar.