Myanmar’s Wa State to Resume Tin Shipments After Two-Year Ban

ITA

Tin shipments from Myanmar’s resource-rich Wa State are set to restart in the coming months, ending a nearly two-year suspension that has unsettled global supply chains and shaken metals markets.

The International Tin Association (ITA) confirmed on Wednesday that mining operators in the autonomous region have begun securing three-year permits, paving the way for renewed exports. The move follows prolonged delays caused by licensing hurdles and a blanket ban imposed by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in August 2023.

Wa State, located in Myanmar’s northeast and controlled by the UWSA, is responsible for around 70% of the country’s tin production. With Myanmar ranking as the world’s third-largest producer, and China its main buyer, the region plays a pivotal role in the global tin market — especially for electronics and semiconductor manufacturers, who rely on the metal for soldering.

News of the impending resumption sent tin prices lower on Wednesday, dropping 1.6% to $32,775 per metric ton on the London Metal Exchange — the lowest level in three weeks — as traders reacted to the prospect of increased supply. Rising global inventories, now at their highest since August 2021, have further added downward pressure.

Despite progress, uncertainties remain. “Strict controls on equipment and personnel movements are still in place,” said Tom Langston of the ITA. “But with new licences granted at Man Maw, a restart appears increasingly likely.”

The UWSA — one of Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic militias — maintains a long-standing ceasefire with the junta but operates independently. It fields an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 fighters, many reportedly armed with Chinese-supplied weapons.

Their original suspension of mining was framed as an effort to conserve dwindling resources. However, the shift back toward production appears driven by economic pragmatism and renewed regulatory clarity for operators.

While the exact timeline for exports remains fluid, the global tin market is already bracing for change. If shipments resume as expected, it could ease supply concerns — but also complicate pricing forecasts amid persistent geopolitical instability in Myanmar.

-2025-07-17