Atomic properties
Market data
Live data is fetched client-side via CORS proxy. If proxies are blocked, the last cached value is shown with a Stale badge. Refresh every 10 minutes.
Raw material sources & pricing
| Raw Material Form | Grade/Quality | Price Paid by Smelters | Major Sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassiterite Ore (Primary) | 60-72% SnO₂ | $21,000-25,000/MT | Myanmar, Indonesia, China | Alluvial deposits, easier to process |
| Cassiterite Ore (Hard Rock) | 0.5-2% SnO₂ | $200-800/MT ore | Australia, Bolivia, Malaysia | Requires crushing and concentration |
| Tin Concentrates | 20-30% Sn | $6,000-9,000/MT | Various | Low-grade, complex processing |
| Secondary Tin (Scrap) | Variable | $15,000-28,000/MT | Electronics recycling | Growing importance |
Cassiterite Ore - Primary Raw Material
Current Market Price: $21,000-25,000/MT (70-80% of LME spot price for 60% Sn ore) Major Global Reserves: China: 1.1 million MT (24% of world reserves) - Southeast Yunnan tin belt Indonesia: 800,000 MT - Bangka-Belitung islands Brazil: 700,000 MT - Amazon region deposits Australia: 370,000 MT - Tasmania and Queensland Bolivia: 400,000 MT - Potosí region 2025 Production Leaders: China: 68,000 MT (18% of global production) Myanmar: 54,000 MT (Wa State region) Indonesia: 44,000 MT (recovering from export disruptions) Peru: 28,000 MT Raw Material Form Grade/Quality Price Paid by Smelters Major Sources Notes Cassiterite Ore (Primary) 60-72% SnO₂ $21,000-25,000/MT Myanmar, Indonesia, China Alluvial deposits, easier to process Cassiterite Ore (Hard Rock) 0.5-2% SnO₂ $200-800/MT ore Australia, Boli
⚠️ Seawater Tin Extraction
Commercial Viability: NOT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE Concentration: 0.003 ppm (extremely low) Chemical Form: Likely as tin hydroxide complexes [Sn(OH)₄] at seawater pH Status: No commercial seawater tin extraction exists anywhere globally. The concentration is approximately 1,000 times lower than aluminum in seawater, making extraction completely uneconomical. Note: Unlike magnesium, lithium, and bromine which are successfully extracted from seawater, tin's extremely low concentration makes seawater extraction impractical.
Production cost analysis
| Cost Component | $/MT Tin | % of Total Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cassiterite Ore (1.25-1.5 MT needed) | $15,000-18,000 | 55-65% | For 60-70% SnO₂ concentrate |
| Energy (Electricity + Fuel) | $2,000-3,500 | 8-12% | Lower than aluminum due to lower melting point |
| Labor | $1,500-2,500 | 6-9% | Varies by country |
| Flux & Reductants | $800-1,200 | 3-4% | Coal, limestone, silica |
| Other Materials & Overhead | $3,200-4,800 | 12-17% | Maintenance, refractories, transport |
| Total Production Cost | $22,500-30,000 | 100% | Compare to selling price: $30,000-31,200/MT |
Energy consumption breakdown
| Process Stage | Energy Consumption | % of Total Energy | Energy Type | Key Operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smelting (Reduction) | 20-28 MJ/kg | 55-60% | Coal/Coke + Electricity | Reduction at 1200-1300°C with carbon |
| Ore Concentration | 5-8 MJ/kg | 15-18% | Electricity | Crushing, gravity separation, flotation |
| Refining | 4-6 MJ/kg | 12-15% | Electricity/Gas | Electrolytic or thermal refining |
| Roasting (if needed) | 3-5 MJ/kg | 8-10% | Natural Gas | For sulfide ores at 600-700°C |
| Material Handling | 2-3 MJ/kg | 5-7% | Electricity/Diesel | Transport, feeding, product handling |
Smelting Process Details (55-60%)
Furnace Operation: 40-45% - Reverberatory or rotary furnaces Carbon Reduction: 10-12% - SnO₂ + C → Sn + CO₂ Heat Losses: 3-4% - Maintaining temperature Slag Treatment: 2-3% - Recovery of residual tin
Modern TSL Furnace Benefits
Higher Recovery: 95-98% tin recovery vs 90-93% traditional Energy Efficiency: 20-30% less energy consumption Flexibility: Can process complex feeds Environmental: Better emission control
Commercial forms & specifications
| Product Form | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | Typical Purity | Price Range (USD/kg) | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Ingot (Grade A) | Sn | 118.71 g/mol | 99.85-99.99% | $30.00-31.20 | Soldering, electronics, alloys |
| Tin Shot/Pellets | Sn | 118.71 g/mol | 99.9%+ | $31.00-32.50 | Chemical applications, plating |
| Tin Powder (Atomized) | Sn | 118.71 g/mol | 99.5-99.9% | $35.00-45.00 | Powder metallurgy, chemicals |
| Tin(II) Chloride | SnCl₂·2H₂O | 225.65 g/mol | 98-99% | $8.00-12.00 | Electroplating, reducing agent |
| Tin(IV) Chloride | SnCl₄ | 260.52 g/mol | 99%+ | $15.00-25.00 | Glass coatings, catalysts |
| Tin(II) Oxide | SnO | 134.71 g/mol | 99-99.9% | $25.00-35.00 | Glass manufacturing, catalysts |
| Tin(IV) Oxide | SnO₂ | 150.71 g/mol | 99.5-99.99% | $20.00-40.00 | Ceramics, sensors, catalysts |
| Stannous Fluoride | SnF₂ | 156.71 g/mol | 97-99% | $80.00-120.00 | Toothpaste, dental care |
| Tin(II) Sulfate | SnSO₄ | 214.77 g/mol | 96-98% | $12.00-18.00 | Electroplating baths |
| Sodium Stannate | Na₂SnO₃·3H₂O | 266.73 g/mol | 95-98% | $8.00-15.00 | Electroplating, ceramics |
| Lead-Free Solder | Sn-Ag-Cu alloys | Variable | Various | $35.00-60.00 | Electronics assembly |
| Organotin Compounds | Various R₂SnX₂ | Variable | 95-99% | $50.00-500.00 | PVC stabilizers, catalysts |
Suppliers by country
🇨🇳 China
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Yunnan Tin Company | Ingots, chemicals, solders, tin powder | World's largest tin producer, integrated operations |
| Yunnan Chengfeng Non-ferrous | Refined tin, by-products (indium, silver) | Second largest Chinese producer |
| China Tin Group | Tin metal, alloys, chemicals | State-owned, integrated supply chain |
🇮🇩 Indonesia
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| PT Timah | Tin ingots, tin chemicals, alloys | State-owned, integrated mining to marketing |
| PT Refined Bangka Tin | Refined tin ingots | Private smelter, Bangka island |
🇲🇾 Malaysia / 🇸🇬 Singapore
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia Smelting Corp (MSC) | Refined tin, custom smelting, specialty alloys | TSL furnace technology, low carbon footprint |
| Tin Industries (STI) | Refined tin ingots | Joint venture with Yunnan Tin |
🇵🇪 Peru / 🇧🇴 Bolivia
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Minsur S.A. | Refined tin, high-purity tin | San Rafael mine (world's largest underground tin mine) |
| EM Vinto (Bolivia) | Tin ingots, concentrates | State-owned smelter |
🇹🇭 Thailand
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Thaisarco | Refined tin, tin alloys | PURITY™ brand tin, custom alloys |
🇧🇷 Brazil
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Mineração Taboca (Minsur Group) | Tin concentrates, refined tin | Pitinga mine, integrated operations |
Market demand by product form
| Product Form | Global Market Share | Key Markets | Main Drivers | Growth Rate (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solder & Electronics | 49% | Asia (75%), Americas (15%) | Electronics, lead-free mandate | 6.5% |
| Tinplate | 16% | Global | Food packaging | 2.5% |
| Chemicals | 15% | Asia, Europe, Americas | PVC stabilizers, glass coatings | 4.0% |
| Lead-acid Batteries | 7% | Global | Automotive, energy storage | 3.5% |
| Brass & Bronze | 5% | Global | Industrial applications | 2.0% |
| Float Glass | 2% | Asia, Europe | Construction | 4.5% |
| Other Alloys | 6% | Global | Specialized applications | 3.0% |
Market trends
Supply Constraints: Myanmar disruptions (Wa State issues) and Indonesian export controls creating tight market Lead-Free Transition: EU mandate by 2030 could add 20,000 MT/year demand Technology Demand: Semiconductor recovery driving solder demand after 2023 slump Price Outlook: BMI forecasts $45,000/MT by 2033, driven by supply deficit from 2028 China Factor: Imports 73% of tin needs despite being largest refined producer Green Energy: Solar and EV adoption accelerating tin consumption growth Limited New Supply: Few new tin projects in development pipeline
Moles per kilogram
| Product Form | Formula | MW (g/mol) | Moles/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Metal | Sn | 118.71 | 8.42 |
| Tin(IV) Oxide (Cassiterite) | SnO₂ | 150.71 | 6.64 |
| Tin(II) Chloride (hydrated) | SnCl₂·2H₂O | 225.65 | 4.43 |
| Tin(IV) Chloride | SnCl₄ | 260.52 | 3.84 |
| Sodium Stannate (hydrated) | Na₂SnO₃·3H₂O | 266.73 | 3.75 |
References
Explore on Amazon
Explore Tin-related materials, books, and lab gear on Amazon. Selections are search-based; results refresh on Amazon.
Affiliate disclosure:As an Amazon Associate, nanos earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.