According to the International Tin Association (ITA), on the morning of April 23, 2025, the Wa State Industrial and Mineral Resources Administration held a special symposium on the resumption of production at the Manxiang mine. Participants included key leaders of the administration and actual investors from various companies previously involved in the Manxiang mine. This meeting was originally scheduled for April 1 as a pre-resumption exchange symposium but was canceled due to a strong earthquake in Myanmar at the end of March.
The meeting announced a document [Wa Jing Zi 2025-01] issued by the Wa State Central Economic Planning Committee in March 2025 and clarified the procedures for obtaining mining, beneficiation plant, and exploration licenses in the Manxiang mining area. These procedures include submitting applications to the Wa State Industrial and Mineral Resources Administration office, registration, measurement verification, and cost accounting. All applications will be compiled and submitted by the office, pending final approval from the Central Economic Planning Committee. Applicants will receive the relevant licenses upon presenting payment receipts.
The latest document, “Procedures for Obtaining Mining, Beneficiation Plant, and Exploration Licenses in the Manxiang Mining Area,” specifies the fee standards for mine tunnels and beneficiation plants, which have significantly increased compared to those mentioned in the “Wa Jing Zi 2023-08” document issued in December 2023. Industry insiders analyzed that this price adjustment has limited impact on high-altitude mine tunnels but increases cost pressure on low-altitude mine tunnels and small to medium-sized beneficiation plants. Some financially weak beneficiation plants may face difficulties in restarting, while well-funded large enterprises have a comparative advantage.
The International Tin Association’s perspective:After a 20-month mining ban, the market remains highly focused on Wa State’s resumption of operations. It is expected that full restoration of normal mining will take at least two months. The new regulations may drive the Manxiang mining area’s resources toward scale and intensification. With Alphamin announcing the gradual resumption of operations at the Bisie mine in the eastern DRC, Wa State’s production resumption is expected to alleviate supply pressure to some extent in the coming months.
(Source)