Malaysian tin ended flat on Thursday despite a drop of 25 dollar in London prices, as demand from European buyers supported the market, dealers said. The spot metal ended at $6,270 a tonne, off a near three-week high of $6,370 hit this week.

"The market is expected to be around the $6,300 level," one trader said. Dealers noted initial bids for 72 tonnes against offers for 77 tonnes as miners braced for further falls in London.

Three-month tin on the (LME) London Metal Exchange, which often dictates Malaysian prices, lost $25 to $6,300 on Wednesday.

Final volume was 72 tonnes, up from Wednesday's 65. European buyers took 40 tonnes, Japanese buyers 30 tonnes and Malaysians the remaining two tonnes.

The premium for shipping a tonne of Malaysian tin to Europe widened to $165 from Wednesday's rate of $140. The premium takes into account freight, insurance and other costs.

Copyright Reuters, 2005