Have been trying to find info on this same subject, looking in the period of 1300-1600. Sumatra & Borneo had iron mined in this period but unlikely for export. Before 1511, Malacca had Chinese, Sulawesi, & Burma iron for sale. Malacca also had many Indian & Arab traders, so concidering how valuable iron was, I would think it would have had any excess iron from any area sold there. From what I read, there was 2 types of Chinese iron. The type they exported was brittle and poor quality to made weapons. The nickeliferous iron from Sulawesi is claimed to have been perfect for mixing with the Chinese iron.
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