tin mine
A mine extracting natural tin ore deposits, principally cassiterite, for recovery of tin.
A tin mine is a site for the extraction of natural tin ore deposits from the earth. The vast majority of tin ore is in the form of cassiterite, where it occurs as tin dioxide (SnO₂). Tin is a malleable gray metal and a chemical element with atomic number 50. Its primary uses are as a soldering material, as well as a component of bronze and brass.
The extracted material is tin-bearing ore rather than manufactured tin products. Cassiterite is the usual source, but the definition is not limited to a single ore mineral.
Solder and alloys are uses of the recovered metal. Their manufacture alone does not establish a tin mine because the mining use requires extraction from a natural deposit.
