Tin is a chemical element with the symbol Sn (from Latin: stannum) and atomic number 50. It is a silvery-white, soft, malleable metal that is not easily oxidized in air, making it useful in various applications.
The use of tin dates back to antiquity. It was first mined in Bronze Age Britain around 3000 BC. The earliest known artifact made from tin is a small bronze axe head from around 2500 BC. The production of tin was closely linked with the rise of the tin trade, particularly in Cornwall, England, which became a major source of tin in Europe by the time of the Roman Empire.
Tin is primarily obtained from the mineral cassiterite (SnO₂). The major producing countries include China, Indonesia, Peru, and Bolivia. The extraction process involves:
Tin has a wide range of applications:
While tin itself is not particularly toxic, the mining and smelting processes can lead to environmental pollution. Efforts are made to recycle tin, particularly from scrap metal and electronics waste, reducing the need for new mining.