Note: Myanmar mine export statistics usually combine income from natural gas exports

[Note: Myanmar mine export statistics usually combine income from natural gas exports
with the value of metal and mineral exports. In fact an Associated Press report at the end of October said there had been a decline, both in total exports and mine exports during the first six months of fiscal 2003-4 (Apr - Sep).

News reports about the value of exports are frequently revised before a final figure is reached. They often confuse calendar year figures with fiscal year figures but almost certainly, when everything is totaled up for the year, the value of both gas and mine exports will be up.

Copper cathode prices are up by about a third since the beginning of January and mine production at Freidland's Monywa mine is also higher this year. In 2002, exports of copper amounted to about US$ 40 million and could reach US$ 55 million this year. Copper is the main metal export, but coal, zinc, and antinomy are being exported to Thailand, tin to Singapore, and a new zinc fuming plant at Namtu is about to come on line with export expected to Yunnan (China).

(Thanks to Eric Snider for this additional commentary)