Where does our tin actually come from?
There is a predicted geological pattern that tin deposits typically fall into.
Most tin is smelted from concentrates within cassiterite. A high amount of tin is also found in deposits containing biotite or biotite-muscovite granite, as well as shallow volcanic rocks such as quartz or dacite. (If some of these mineral names confuse you, look them up through the link below)
Most tin is smelted from concentrates within cassiterite. A high amount of tin is also found in deposits containing biotite or biotite-muscovite granite, as well as shallow volcanic rocks such as quartz or dacite. (If some of these mineral names confuse you, look them up through the link below)
According to a USGS report, global tin deposits generally fall into two categories....
(1) "long, narrow belts of tin-bearing granites in a wider intrusive complex [Ex. Southeast Asia, or Indonesia]
(2) "more diffuse belts of younger granites in extensive areas of Precambrian rocks [Ex. Nigeria]
Due to this, most tin is found along tectonic belts where granite has been able to intrude
(1) "long, narrow belts of tin-bearing granites in a wider intrusive complex [Ex. Southeast Asia, or Indonesia]
(2) "more diffuse belts of younger granites in extensive areas of Precambrian rocks [Ex. Nigeria]
Due to this, most tin is found along tectonic belts where granite has been able to intrude
There are 6 classifications of global tin deposits:
(1) Pegmatite deposits
(2) Pneumatolytic-hydrothermal deposits
(3) Subvolcanic or tin-silver deposits
(4) Disseminated deposits
(5) Contact-metamorphic deposits
(6) Fumerole Deposits
Each type of tin deposit has specific characteristics that make it unique. For details on these differences refer to the report via the button below. (Note: the list and the subsequent descriptions begin on page 3)
Tin deposits can vary in age between Precambrian to Tertiary.
Where are these areas in today's world?
Current tin mining efforts are centralized in countries where deposits are abundant and work is cheap.
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In Bangka... "ore concentrations have plummeted 63 percent on the island in just the past two decades." - Business Insider
This is a problem because as concentrations decrease, the need to dig deeper arises. The deeper the mines, the more dangerous. But that's not industry's problem, it's the workers'.