China's output of refined tin dips in Jul on feedstock shortage, lower margins

SHANGHAI, Aug 8 (SMM) – Production of refined tin in China shrank 2.1% on the month to stand at 12,566 mt in July, as raw materials shortage cut production in Yunnan province and limited margins depressed output in Jiangxi province, an SMM survey showed on Thursday August 8. 

Smelters that underwent maintenance in June mostly resumed in July, and this slowed the decline in July’s production from that in June. 

SMM learned that most tin smelters suffered from losses recently. They are expected to reduce production in the short term if prices of refined tin remain weak amid poor consumption and if supply of feedstock continues to tighten. 

SMM estimates domestic production of refined tin to stand at 12,000 mt in August.