World’s largest producer of refined tin announces smelter maintenance

The world’s largest producer of refined tin, Yunnan Tin Company (YTC), has announced maintenance at its Gejiu smelter will commence on 30 September 2026 for up to 45 days.
Annual maintenance is usually performed in July and August, and is factored into the company’s operational plans and budget for the year, and will have no significant impact on the company’s annual production plan.
Refined tin production in China is expected to fall substantially as a result, with YTC producing approximately 5,000-6,000 t tin per month, or roughly a third of domestic output. SHFE stocks—which stood at 7,273 tonnes on Thursday 24 September—will provide ample cushioning for the reduction in China’s domestic production in October.
YTC’s scheduled production halt comes as there has been a slight alleviation in China’s feedstock squeeze following months of market tightness. This pressure has brought about market consolidation through YTC’s acquisition of Chifeng Dajinzi and China Minmetals proposed acquisition of a controlling stake in Guangxi Huaxi.
This year’s maintenance period is unusually late and the company has benefitted significantly from elevated tin prices throughout 2026. The company reported H1 profits of RMB 1.5 billion (approximately US$224 million), up 32.8% from the same period in 2025.