- Roughly half of refined tin demand is solder, primarily for electronics manufacturing.
- Mine supply is concentrated in China, Indonesia, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Tin appears on several critical mineral lists because of its supply concentration and electronics role.
Why tin matters
Tin is the dominant input to solder, which connects every component in electronic devices. The shift to lead-free solder in the 2000s and the continuing build-out of consumer electronics, data center hardware, and electric vehicles all increase tin solder demand.
Other tin uses
Beyond solder, tin is used in tinplate (food cans), chemicals, brass and bronze alloys, and tin-based battery anode research. Solder remains the largest single use by a wide margin.
Supply concentration
Tin mine supply is concentrated in a handful of countries. Disruptions in any one of them, particularly Myanmar’s Wa State, have historically had outsized effects on global tin prices.
Why tin is on critical mineral lists
The combination of essential electronics demand and concentrated, politically sensitive supply explains why tin appears on Canadian and US critical mineral lists. Substitution options exist but are limited.
Pricing and inventories
Tin trades on the London Metal Exchange. LME tin inventories and Chinese physical premiums are watched closely. Tin’s small market size makes it relatively illiquid and prone to sharp price moves.
Supply concentration and demand split are documented by the International Tin Association, the US Geological Survey, and Natural Resources Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Supply concentration and demand split are documented by the International Tin Association, the US Geological Survey, and Natural Resources Canada.
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