SHANGHAI, Mar. 30 -- The Renison tin operation in Tasmania was back in full production by Friday 26 March following a mechanical failure at the primary mill on 20 March. The set-back had been due to a bearing failure, but repairs were quickly made. Underground mining and ore crushing continued unaffected.

The Renison mine and mill and Mt Bischoff mine are now part of Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture Pty Ltd, a recently formed 50:50 joint venture between Metals X and Yunnan Tin Group and partners. In January and February production at the combined unit was running at some 8,000 tpy tin-in-concentrates.