Tin symposium faces problem of low prices

Tin International, a division of Metals and Minerals Publications of London, is holding its second international tin symposium Dec 16-17 in London.

Tin International sees the central issue facing both the tin industry and the metal packaging industry today as one of whether a combination of low tin price, manufacturing efficiency and good promotion can maintain a high level of tin consumption, especially in the packaging industry. Low tin met al prices may help tin consumers compete against substitutes, but will the miners and smelters be able to meet demand at these prices? Is the tin market working effectively without the London Metal Exchange? What, if any, are the benefits of more direct trading links between producer and consumer?

Those and other questions concerning the tin market will be addressed at the symposium.