Military Coup, Chinese Copper And Tin Imports From Myanmar Drop More 25 Percent

Myanmar military coup demonstration. (Twitter / @ HsuChiKo1)

JAKARTA - China's copper and tin ore imports from Myanmar have decreased by more than 25 percent in January - February 2021, compared to the same period last year.

This condition is inseparable from the military coup in the third-largest tin-producing country in the world, on February 1. As a result, demonstrations and clashes between security forces and protesters were inevitable, including at the Monywa copper mining center.

Myanmar accounts for more than 95 percent of China's tin concentrate imports, which are used by smelters to make refined tin. The International Tin Association said the supply was mostly tin, protected from a coup by the Myanmar military regime. Only 20 percent were affected.

Data from China's Customs said that imports in January and February only reached 16,986 tons, down 26.5 percent compared to the previous year. Chinese data for the first two months of the year are often taken as a whole, due to distortions of the Lunar New Year holiday.

China's imports of copper cathodes, which are used to make rods and tubes, from Myanmar totaled 8,350 tons in January and February, down 25.5% year-on-year.

Wanbao Mining, the Chinese operator of the two Monywa mines, has not publicly commented on their production status since the unrest. A source with knowledge of the situation said copper could still be shipped to China. Most of the streams will begin in June.

In contrast to the import conditions of the two commodities, imports of rare earth oxides increased by 25.7 percent to 3,446 tons compared to the same period last year.

China is the top producer of a group of minerals used in consumer electronics and military equipment. However, they depend on Myanmar for about half the raw material for the rare earth metal used.

Apart from mining goods, China and Myanmar also have a number of trade relations and cooperation in the economic sector, including the existence of oil and gas pipelines to Chinese-owned garment factories in Myanmar.

As of Sunday, March 21, at least 248 people have died since Myanmar's military coup on February 1, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in that one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.