China’s second and third largest tin producing provinces are both contemplating metals stockpiling plans, following the example set by Yunnan. Both Hunan and Guangxi have made statements about their intentions on official websites in recent days, although details of the proposed schemes remain sketchy.

 

Hunan is now China’s second largest provincial producer of tin, after Yunnan. Provisional CNIA data shows 2008 refined tin output of 22,843 tonnes, just ahead of Guangxi (21,586 tonnes) but well behind Yunnan (73,809 tonnes). Yunnan announced a metals stockpiling plan last December and could acquire or arrange financing for up to 30,000 tonnes of tin this year. So far 6,000 tonnes has been acquired from Yunnan Tin Company.

 

Chenzhou, a city in central China's Hunan Province, plans to build up its own metals reserves, to support local metals companies, Reuters reported. An official website reported a plan to buy 5,000 tonnes of tin, along with varying quantities of silver, lead, zinc, tungsten and bismuth. But the city has not started purchases, and prices and timing have yet to be decided. "It is just an intention," said an official at the city's government, who declined to be named.

 

In Guangxi plans appear to be more advanced. An official at the industry bureau of Baise city said he expected the provincial government there to finalise the volumes and prices for its buying plan in about two weeks' time. The Guangxi government completed the draft after discussions lasting two months with county and city governments and local metals firms, according to a statement on the official website of the economic commission of the Guangxi government. "The draft is being reviewed by relevant authorities and companies," an official at the commission told Reuters. The statement did not give details on the types of metals, prices, or the timing of the purchases. Guangxi is an important producer of alumina, aluminium, indium and other minor metals as well as tin.

 

The provincial initiatives are paralleled by central government stockpiling via the State Reserve Bureau, although no tin has been bought by the SRB, which has focused on aluminium, copper, zinc and nickel.

 

 

 

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