Koba Tin to expand smelter capacity

Koba Tin, Bangka based tin mining subsidiary of Malaysian Mining Company (MMC) is planning to expand its smelter in Koba, Bangka Island to anticipate the growing number of tin concentrate as the result of government?s decision to ban tin-in concentrate last June, an industry source said.

?The plan is to build another smelter with the capacity to smelt some 17,000 tonnes of tin concentrate annually,? the source told Petromindo.Com.

The source said Koba Tin was waiting for the approval from the government and said the smelter?s construction would take less than a year.

Currently, Koba Tin?s smelting could process some 18,000 tonnes of tin concentrate annually.

Government banned tin concentrate export last June, leaving thousands of small-scale miners that are operating in Bangka Island in difficulties to sell their products. (alex/godang/kominta)