TIN

Tin possesses many important properties such as malleability, ductility and corrosion resistance. As a result, the metal has found applicability in various areas. In the Bronze Age, tin was alloyed with copper to create bronze, extensively used in making weapons, sculptures, tools and others. Today, tin and its alloys find applications in electronics, plumbing, the chemical industry, polishing compounds and decorative metals. Occurrence Cassiterite is found in both alluvial/placer deposits and primary hard-rock deposits. Tin occurrence in alluvial/placer deposits is due to the weathering of primary hard rocks followed by transportation of eroded material, with significant deposits located in Southeast Asian countries, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. The primary hard-rock deposits are late-stage granitic intrusions found in veins and fissures in granite and surrounding country rocks. They are predominant in China, South America and Australia. Estimated tin reserves in the world are about 4.3 Mt, with significant distribution in China, Indonesia, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, Peru, Malaysia, Australia and Thailand. Production Tin production reached 290 kt in 2023 due to increased demand, with approximately 60 percent coming from China, Indonesia and Burma. Refined tin metal production witnessed fluctuations among different countries over time, yet the general trend indicated an upward trajectory in average production. China, Indonesia, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru emerged as key contributors, driving the cumulative production of tin. However, since the 1990s, reports indicate a noticeable absence of tin smelting activity from U.S. and European producers, signifying a decline in production from these regions. About 15 percent of the global tin output is sourced from secondary materials, with Belgium and China playing significant roles, emphasizing the growing importance of recycling and reprocessing in sustaining the global tin supply. Consumption Tin consumption shows variability across industries over time. During the 1970s, significant quantities of tin were consumed by tin plate industries in the United States and European countries, although consumption rates in these sectors were either stable or in decline by 2000. Conversely, since 2000, there has been a surge in tin consumption in electronic soldering applications in Asian countries, particularly China and Japan. Solder industries emerged as the largest consumers, accounting for approximately 50 percent of the tin produced in 2022, followed by chemical and tin plate industries. Reports indicate that global tin consumption maintained a plateau of 300 to 350 kt during the last decade, but post-pandemic, it experienced a slight increase to about 380 kt, reflecting evolving consumption patterns and shifting industrial demands. Processing Cassiterite is the primary mineral from which tin is economically extracted. It is generally associated with lighter gangue minerals and is found in both placer/ alluvial and hard-rock deposits. The beneficiation process for cassiterite involves techniques such as gravity concentration and flotation. Various gravity separators such as jigs, spirals and tables are used for primary concentration, with enhanced gravity concentrators being developed to increase efficiency. Particle size plays a significant role in gravity concentration, with higher efficiency observed for coarse particles. Flotation techniques are employed to recover fine cassiterite from gravity tailings, resulting in improved overall plant recovery values. Selective collectors play a crucial role in cassiterite flotation, with various reagents being explored over the years. Cassiterite beneficiation plants have undergone numerous developments, including modifications in flowsheets, incorporation of new equipment, and adoption of novel chemical reagents. Market-driven factors have largely influenced these developments. Several case studies highlight the implementation of advanced gravity separators and flotation techniques in treating cassiterite fines, resulting in higher product quality and recovery rates.

TIN

Authored by:
Shivakumar Angadi

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From sessions to strategy: Revealing long-term and emerging innovation trends in data analytics, intelligent systems and automation

Mining education gets federal boost as industry faces workforce crunch

Critical minerals management on the federal seabed

To view the past issues of the UCA magazine you must be a member of SME/UCA.

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