Supply Constraints Mean Record-High Tin Prices, But Players Face Exploration, Production Challenges

Malaysia Smelting Corp Bhd Group CEO/ED Dato' Seri Dr Mohd Ajib Anuar discusses the secondary listing of its shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange, and issues revolving around its main tin business (such as target production rates, applications, prices, physical supply deficit, global production and demand.)
He also talks about its earlier investments into non-tin assets like gold, nickel, copper and silver, and then its subsequent decision to divest those assets, due to financial constraints imposed by the global financial crisis.
He then addresses issues centring on its financial position, such as a high gearing ratio, trade receivables, thin margins, 'unusual items', prospects for further impairments (due to its non-tin investments) and the possibility of a profit turnaround in 2011.