Asian Metal visits Qiandao Metal, YTC Smelting Company, Jiyuan Mining and Metallurgy, Yunnan Chengfeng Non-ferrous Metals and Gejiu Industrial Park

On the morning of 12 December, Asian Metal's Sales Director Zhao Hao and tin analyst Lynn Li paid a visit to Gejiu Qiandao Metal Co., Ltd. and had in-depth communication with General Manager Zhang Huanqun. As a well-known local importer, the company keeps developing in recent two years and becomes one of local private companies with the highest import volume. In November, the company established its Ruili branch in Yunnan to further develop overseas minerals business. During the meeting, Lynn Li and Mr. Zhang exchanged ideas about estimated import volume in 2020 and the decline of about 20% in import volume of Burmese tin concentrate in 2019. Presently, the competition among Chinese smelters gets fiercer with raw material supply shortage and treatment charges for tin concentrate keep going down, so it's hard for smelters to survive. The company recognized Asian Metal's fair and objective analysis over past years and appreciated Asian Metal's timely and accurate tin price trend.

Then, Zhao Hao and Lynn Li arrived at YTC Smelting Company and talked with Purchase Director Wang Qingyuan, Operation Department Business Head Xu Beiya and other staff of the company. YTC Smelting Company is responsible for tin ingot production of Yunnan Tin Group and is one of core companies of the group. Lynn Li and Wang Qingyuan discussed Chinese tin concentrate production, import sources and import volumes in 2019 and tin concentrate imports in 2020. Wang Qingyuan highly appreciated Asian Metal's accurate information about tin concentrate output and imports and greatly recognized Asian Metal's objective and fair information service.

In the afternoon, Zhao Hao and Lynn Li visited Gejiu Jiyuan Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd. and communicated in-depth with General Manager Zhang Qinggang. The company is mainly engaged in recycling of tin-bearing tailings, recycling of tin slag, smelting and sales of non-ferrous metals as well as import trade of Burmese tin concentrate. According to Mr. Zhang, tin concentrate output in Wa State, Myanmar dropped to about 55,000 tons in 2018 after reaching the high level of 67,000 tons in 2017 and further declined to about 40,000 tons in 2019, with the raw ore grade going to approximately 1% from the previous level of 3% or so. Lynn Li and Mr. Zhang exchanged ideas about tin ingot market outlook and production of Chinese and overseas tin concentrate in 2020. Mr. Zhang highly appreciated Asian Metal's opinions about and analysis on tin market trend and expected to deepen the cooperation with Asian Metal.

Later on, Zhao Hao and Lynn Li came to Yunnan Chengfeng Non-ferrous Metals Co., Ltd. and were warmly received by Sales General Manager Pu Jianyun and Futures Manager Ren Hua. As an internationally known tin smelting company and a registered brand listed in LME and SHFE, the company owns an annual production capacity of over 20,000 tons and enjoys a good reputation in the industry. Lynn Li and Pu Jianyun discussed tin ingot market in 2019 and exchanged ideas about the market in 2020. The two sides also studied vitality and continuity of tin ingot futures and compared future operation of tin futures with other metals. The company greatly recognized Asian Metal's comments and analysis and expected in-depth and extensive communication with Asian Metal in future.

Finally, Zhao Hao and Lynn Li were on a visit to Gejiu Industrial Park for new dressing plants. They learnt construction progress and investments of enterprises and investigated some enterprises that are in production. Gejiu government has been upgrading, adjusting and integrating resources of the industry in recent two years. There are 19 enterprises in the park now, among which the minimum one covers an area of about 8mu and the maximum one covers an area of 24mu or so. Only two plants are in production at present and the rest would go into operation after the Spring Festival.