The principle tin ore, cassiterite SnO2, is found mainly in southeast Asia. Cassiterite contains 70-75% tin by weight.

Tin ore is mined primarily by gravel pumping. This generates tin concentrate which is relatively free of impurities. Concentrates are then shipped to smelters. There are three types of tin smelting furnaces: reverbatory, blast, or electric. The molten tin that emerges from the furnace is then cast into large slabs. Impure tin slabs are further refined by one of two methods. Fire refining generates tin of 99.85% purity. Electrolytic refining generates tin of 99.999% purity.

Refined tin is finally cast into the form of ingots or pigs. Tin traded on the LME must be of minimum 99.85% purity.

Applications
Tin is used by packaging companies to produce tin plated steel cans and containers. The leading application for tin is solders, an alloy used in electronics.