MANIEMA PROVINCE, DRC -- Mines in second province here in the Democratic Republic of Congo are gaining final approvals for shipping tin and other ores to Western nations. Most of the war-torn country's mines have faced international bans that prevented Western companies from buying or trading in minerals from the DRC.

BEIJING -- A poll of nearly three dozen tin producers, traders and consumers at the first Tin Market Outlook reception sponsored by ITRI China in Beijing last week suggests most expect only a very gradual improvement in market conditions.