Tin production quota to be imposed in 2009

The government will begin limiting tin production in 2009 to help reduce tin supplies in the world so that the tin prices could be stabilized more effectively.

Director General of Coal and Geothermal Resources at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Simon F. Sembiring said in Jakarta on Monday that the government would introduce a national production quota beginning next year.

?The national production quota will be regulated by the ministry and will be adjusted every year,? he said. ?Our tin production will be limited to between 90,000 and 100,000 tons a year,? he said.

Bangka and Belitung province produces about 90 percent of the country?s total tin output. The other 10 percent is produced by companies in Tundur and Karimun islands. (*)