China Sets First Tranche of Coke Export Quotas

China's first tranche of export quotas for coke in 2012 has been set at 4.24 million tonnes, the country's Ministry of Commerce announced on Dec. 27, 2011.

The total quota issued for 2011 was 8.42 million tonnes, issued in two tranches over the year.

China is the world's largest coke producer, but it has begun to restrict coke exports as part of efforts to cut pollution.

The government has slapped a punishing 40 percent duty on coke exports, which has contributed to falling exports in recent years.

China's coke and semi-coke exports in the first 11 months of 2011 stood at 3.2 million tonnes, up 6.59 percent year on year, according to the latest figures from the country's customs authority.

The Ministry of Commerce also said that the first tranche of silver export quotas in 2012 would amount to 3,232 tonnes.

Export quotas for tin and tin products stand at 10,800 tonnes.

The first batch of 2012 export quotas for indium has also been set at 139,000 kilogrammes.

China is the world's largest producer of indium, a vital component in the manufacture of flat-screen TVs and computer monitors, accounting for almost three-quarters of world reserves and about half of output.