Chinese imports of North Korean zinc increased in February, recently published data from China’s customs agency compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) shows, in what could constitute a breach of UN sanctions.

Overall China spent nearly $600,000 to import over 2000 tonnes of zinc ore. The shipments were nearly a ten-fold increase on January, though well below monthly figures throughout the whole of 2016, when imports peaked at over $7 million in March and November.

UN member states are banned from importing North Korean zinc – along with numerous other minerals – since the passage of Resolution 2321 on