Koba Tin still permitted to export tins: Official

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has still permitted tin company PT Koba Tin to export tins provided that the exported tins are produced by the company legally.

Director for business development at the ministry's directorate general of minerals, coal and geothermal MS. Marpaung said that the directorate general has recommended Koba Tin be allowed to go ahead with export activities. The letter of recommendation has been sent to the Ministry of Trade that has the authority to issue the export license.

?Tins to be exported must be the ones mined at PT Koba Tin?s concession,? he said.

According to Marpaung, the export license will take into effect next year because Koba Tin was late in asking for the recommendation.

Marapung said that the export license would be given to Koba Tin even though the legal problems faced by the company has yet to be totally solved. ?Two Koba Tin officials are now under police investigation for allegedly being involved in exporting illegal tins,? he said.

Malaysia Smelting Corp. owns a 75 persent stake in Koba Tin, the remaining hold by state-owned tin miner PT Timah. (godang)