Reuters reported that renewed fighting that has forced thousands to flee for their lives in Congo last week has had a disproportionately large effect on tin prices as international buyers increasing rely on the relatively small producer.

Benchmark tin prices on the London Metal Exchange closed at USD 15,225 per tonne, up by 31% since October 27th 2008, the day after heavily armed rebel troops began marching toward major eastern city and tin trading centre Goma.

Mr Nicholas Garrett mining expert at London based advisory Resource Consulting Services said that "There has been a price spike since the start of this week. Because of production problems and quite a few operations closing in Asia, Congo is gaining in importance."

He added that "The unrest has played its part, along with declining inventory, in the price rise. Given the controls on output that Indonesia has put in place the market could not afford to lose the DRC output."

Mr John Kanyoni a local tin ore dealer said that "There is no room for thinking about business when security is the priority. How do you export when there is no administration there. There is a risk we will have to stop for a while."

The Democratic Republic of Congo produces an estimated 4% of the world's tin, making it the world's sixth biggest supplier, but buyers are relying more on metal from the country as major producer Indonesia cuts output.