Tin Surges to Another Record High

2026-01-26 13:25 By Andre Joaquim 1 min. read

Tin futures in the UK surged to $56,800 per tonne in January, a record high, tracking the support for base metals and assets with exposure to the surge in speculative AI bets.

The metal surged 40% this year alone due to tin's soldering usage in electronic goods and datacenters, driving 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 Holds Gains on Tight Supply
Tin futures in the UK were around $49,500 per tonne in May, holding the rebound from the previous month to trade over 20% higher year-to-date on persistent risks to supply and speculative bets on demand. Major producer Indonesia doubled down on threats against the illegal mining of tin and seixed 500 tonnes of metal connected to sources without licences. The move consolidated the pledge from Jakarta 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.
2026-05-05
Tin Rebounds to 1-Month High
Tin futures in the UK were above $50,000 per tonne in late April, near 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.
2026-04-27
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