Surprise Blanket Ban on Tin Exploration in Myanmar Drove SHFE Tin Prices to Soar

A document issued by Wa State, Myanmar on April 15, 2023 said that "In order to protect the remaining tin resources in the Wa State in a timely manner, the mining and excavation of all mineral resources will be suspended before the mature mining conditions are met... From August 1, 2023, the mines will stop all exploration, mining, processing and other operations... ".

According to China customs data, the total amount of tin ore imported from Myanmar in 2022 is about 187,300 mt, accounting for 76.82% of the total domestic tin ore imports.

It is understood that in 2022, Myanmar’s tin ore export revenue accounted for about 31% of Myanmar’s fiscal revenue, and only 25-30% of taxes will be paid to Myanmar’s Wa State. But tin ore export revenue is an important source of finance for Wa State in Myanmar.

According to some tin smelting companies, income from tin ore exports is an important source of finance for Wa State in Myanmar. It may be difficult to completely suspend tin mining and exports in the future, but the authorities may integrate local tin ore resources and close some tailings or small mines. This will reduce the supply of tin ore.

However, the TCs for Sn 40% tin ore in Yunnan remain 13,000-13,500 yuan/mt, and have not fluctuated significantly.

According to SMM survey, the operating rate of tin smelting enterprises in Yunnan last week was 58.94%, a decrease of 1.96 percentage points from the previous week. One smelting enterprises reduced output and another smelter stopped production.