PT Timah Explores Tin Ore Imports from Myanmar and Latin America
Jakarta - PT Timah Tbk (TINS) has disclosed that the company is currently exploring the potential import of tin ore from various countries. Two countries currently being targeted are Myanmar and Latin America. This is because the domestic tin reserves managed by the company are estimated to only last for the next 15 years.
TINS Deputy President Director Harry Budi Sidharta explained that the company must start seeking new supply sources from abroad so as not to rely solely on reserves in Bangka Belitung. He mentioned the company is now initiating diplomatic communications to map the potential procurement of raw materials from other producing countries.
“For overseas, we are indeed in the exploration stage, one of which is from Myanmar because Myanmar has the largest ore exports, so there is no smelter yet. Then, some who offered recently were from Latin America, there were those who offered,” he said during a discussion with a number of media outlets in Jakarta on Thursday.
The exploration for global tin ore sources is being carried out because the company sees an opportunity to absorb mining products from countries that do not yet have their own refining facilities. Through this ore import plan, the company hopes to optimise the capacity of domestic smelters, which still have room to increase production volume.
“Indeed, that 15 years might be the position today, but we continue to carry out exploration continuously. If we talk about business continuity, it seems we do have to go abroad to look for it, we cannot continue to rely on Bangka Belitung, it will definitely run out at some point,” Harry continued.
Regarding the investment model, the company tends to choose an ore purchasing scheme over conducting direct mining activities in other countries. This strategy is considered safer in terms of legal certainty and operational risk compared to having to manage a mine independently in regions with complex political dynamics.
“We are planning to just buy, because perhaps the security is more assured. We once had the experience of wanting to mine in Myanmar, in Nigeria, legally and otherwise, there are too many risks, it is better for us to partner with local miners there then we bring it here or we handle the smelter,” he added.
Nevertheless, Harry acknowledged that this tin ore import plan still requires an in-depth study related to trade regulations in Indonesia. According to him, there are currently no regulations that specifically allow the import of raw minerals to be processed domestically, so further coordination with relevant ministries is needed.
“It is not yet allowed, that is why this is just an initial exploration, we want to see first what the volume is, whether it exists. It is indeed still an exploration, but if we talk about business continuity, it seems we do have to go abroad,” he concluded.
Previously, PT Timah Tbk recorded total tin resources currently amounting to 800,000 tonnes with reserves totalling 300,000 tonnes. However, this reserve volume is projected to only be able to support the company’s operational production needs for the next 10 to 15 years.
TINS Director of Production and Commercial Ilhamsyah Mahendra explained that the company is pushing exploration activities to secure long-term resource availability. He emphasised that adding new reserves is a priority to ensure the company’s business sustainability.
“Starting from exploration, now we are really conducting aggressive exploration. That is one of PT Timah’s main focuses. We need to secure resource and reserve deposits. Currently we have around 800,000 for resources and around 300,000 for reserves. And we need a longer mine life,” he said at the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026 in Jakarta.
The company considers the current reserve availability not ideal enough when compared to the company’s vision to dominate the global market for a long time. To accelerate the discovery of new reserve points, the issuer, a member of the mining industry holding MIND ID, is starting to rely on digital mapping technology and aerial monitoring in concession areas.
“I think those figures are only for 10-15 years. We need far more deposits for more than a hundred years. So we are also supported by a lot of technology for exploration activities, we use a GIS platform and drone guidance to increase exploration accuracy as well as time speed,” he added.
On the other hand, the company is also starting to look at overseas expansion opportunities to seek strategic mining assets. This strategy is taken so that the company does not only depend on domestic resources, while simultaneously strengthening Indonesia’s bargaining position in the global critical mineral supply chain.
“We are now seeking global expansion, not just expanding capacity on the refining side, but we are looking for mining assets outside Indonesia and we are very open to seeking opportunities for partnerships, collaborations with global tin companies,” he concluded.