Tin Declines from Record High

2026-01-19 18:02 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

Tin futures in the UK fell below the $50,000 per tonne threshold, trimming the surge that topped at a record-high of $53,460 on January 14th as markets reconsidered the fundamentals behind the metal's recent rally.

Tin futures in London had soared more than 30% since the start of the year, tracking the movements in Asian exchanges, as the metal's soldering usage in datacenters drove investors to go long their contracts in proxy to speculative bets in AI technologies.

Trading volumes in Shanghai exceeded one million tonnes in a single session last week, more than twice the world physical usage annually, prompting authorities to warn against "blindly following the trend" and prohibit a section of high-frequency trading firms from entering the market.

Physical supply remained uncertain worldwide as Indonesian President Subianto ordered the closure of 1,000 illegal tin mines in Sumatra, lowering the output from the world's second largest supplier.



News Stream
Tin Rebounds to 1-Month High
Tin futures in the UK rose to $50,000 per tonne in April, the highest in one month and gaining nearly 20% year-to-date amid risks to supply and lingering speculative bets on demand. The Indonesian government seized 500 tonnes of tin and arrested suspects of illegal mining operations. The move doubled down on Jakarta's threat that it would crack down on mining activity that lack licensing after President Subianto ordered the closure of 1,000 illegal mines in Sumatra, tightening the outlook on supply from the key exporter. Elsewhere, operations in Myanmar's Man Maw mine remained slow since being closed for a resource audit in 2023. Meanwhile, tin's utility in datacenters drove Asian traders to pile on futures contracts for speculative positions on AI technology following the crowded developments in silver, although trading halts by the SHFE limited the rally.
2026-04-13
Tin Holds Strong Year
Tin futures in the UK were above $46,000 per tonne in April, holding most of the rebound from the over-two-month low of $32,300 from late March and gaining 14% increase year-to-date amid risks to supply and lingering speculative bets on demand. The Indonesian government seized 500 tonnes of tin and arrested suspects of illegal mining operations. The move doubled down on Jakarta's threat that it would crack down on mining activity that lack licensing after President Subianto ordered the closure of 1,000 illegal mines in Sumatra, tightening the outlook on supply from the key exporter. Elsewhere, operations in Myanmar's Man Maw mine remained slow since being closed for a resource audit in 2023. Meanwhile, tin's utility in datacenters drove Asian traders to pile on futures contracts for speculative positions on AI technology following the crowded developments in silver, although trading halts by the SHFE limited the rally.
2026-04-07
Tin Pulls Back from Record High
Tin futures in the UK fell to $44,000 per tonne from the record high of $57,730 on February 27th, tracking the selloff in industrial metals as the outbreak of war in the Middle East hampered the outlook for global manufacturing. Still, contracts remained nearly 30% higher year-to-date on threats to supply. The Indonesian government seized 500 tonnes of tin and arrested suspects of illegal mining operations. The move doubled down on Jakarta's threat that it would crack down on mining activity that lack licensing after President Subianto ordered the closure of 1,000 illegal mines in Sumatra, tightening the outlook on supply from the key exporter. Elsewhere, operations in Myanmar's Man Maw mine remained slow since being closed for a resource audit in 2023. Also, tin's utility in datacenters drove Asian traders to pile on futures contracts for speculative positions on AI technology following the crowded developments in silver, although trading halts by the SHFE limited the rally.
2026-03-05