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What is it and where is it formed? Tin is
a metal. Cassiterite is the ore of Tin which is an element on
the Periodic Table of Elements. The elements on this table
are pure when they aren't mixed with other elements. Most of the time, tin is in an
ore which means that it is combined with something else and not
all by itself when it is mined. The Cassiterite ore is formed
in places where it’s hot. Water
erosion and weathering push it
into streams and rivers. It is in
igneous and
metamorphic
rock. |
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How and where is it mined? Most of the
time, tin ore is mined using
placer mining. It is mined in:
China, Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, and Australia. |
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What is it used for? Tin is used for the
outer layer of tin cans, solder for welding, and is used to make
bronze. It is used in combination with other metals and not
alone. |
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Photo by Eric Greene, courtesy of
Treasure Mountain Mining |
