Tin in 2025 was mined at an estimated 290,000 metric tons worldwide, down slightly from 294,000 in 2024, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. China, Indonesia and Peru mined the most. The United States has not mined tin since 1993 and relies on imports and recycling. This article summarizes the USGS tin chapter, explains the main numbers and flags what the chapter does not say.
Who mines tin?
The USGS lists estimated 2025 mine production, in metric tons of tin content:
- China: 71,000
- Indonesia: 61,000
- Peru: 33,000
- Brazil: 28,000
- Congo (Kinshasa): 27,000
- Bolivia: 15,000
- Australia: 12,000
- Burma: 12,000
- Vietnam: 11,000
- Russia: 4,500
By our own arithmetic, China and Indonesia together mined about 46% of the rounded world total. Burma fell from an estimated 20,000 tons in 2024 to 12,000, and Bolivia from 21,200 to 15,000, while Indonesia rose from an estimated 55,000 to 61,000. The USGS says these figures are estimates.
How much tin is left?
The USGS puts world reserves above 6 million tons. Indonesia holds 1.4 million, China 1.2 million, Brazil and Burma 700,000 each, and Bolivia 400,000. The Australian reserve line was garbled in the copy we read, so we do not report it. The chapter describes world resources as extensive and says identified U.S. resources, mainly in Alaska, are insignificant by comparison.
What is tin used for?
The USGS gives the share of primary tin consumed in the United States by use: chemicals 25%, tinplate 16%, alloys 12%, solder 11%, babbitt, brass and bronze, and tinning 7%, bar tin 2% and other uses 27%. Tinplate is steel coated with tin, used mainly for food cans. For another metal that competes in cans, see our report on aluminum in 2025.
How did prices move?
The New York dealer price averaged an estimated 1,600 cents per pound in 2025, up 13% from 1,420 in 2024. The London Metal Exchange cash price averaged 1,500 cents, up 10%. By our arithmetic, that puts tin near $16 per pound, well above zinc or lead. The USGS gives no single cause for the rise in the copy we read.
How dependent is the United States on imports?
Net import reliance for refined tin was an estimated 77% of apparent consumption in 2025, against 75% in 2024 and 80% in 2021. Refined imports rose from 25,400 tons to an estimated 32,000, about 26% by our arithmetic, and apparent consumption rose from 34,600 to 43,000. For 2021 to 2024, Peru supplied 31% of refined imports, Bolivia 27%, Indonesia 15% and Brazil 10%. The USGS puts the customs value of refined tin imports at $970 million in 2025. Twenty-five firms accounted for more than 94% of the primary tin consumed.
How much tin is recycled?
The USGS estimates that about 17,000 tons of tin from old and new scrap was recycled in 2025, with recycling up 3% from 2024. About 10,000 tons came from old scrap, which the chapter says equals 22% of apparent consumption. Our arithmetic from the table, 10,000 divided by 43,000, gives about 23%. The old-scrap value is $340 million. The small gap is likely rounding, and we report both.
What new U.S. projects does the chapter mention?
The USGS lists several efforts to build domestic supply chains. A company in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, received $19 million under the Defense Production Act in late 2024. In May 2025 a letter of intent was signed with a Rwandan tin miner for feedstock. In September 2025 construction began on a $65 million facility in Martinsville, Virginia, which the chapter says is expected to be operational by late 2026. The chapter reports these as plans and does not forecast their output.
How do tariffs affect tinplate?
The chapter notes that Section 232 tariffs on aluminum rose to 25% in March 2025, aligned with steel, and were raised to 50% for most countries in June 2025, with the United Kingdom staying at 25%. They affect tinplate steel product codes. Tin itself, whether unalloyed, alloyed or scrap, entered duty free as of December 31, 2025.
How did U.S. supply and demand shift?
The salient statistics show a sharp rebound in apparent consumption of refined tin, from 34,600 tons in 2024 to an estimated 43,000 in 2025, a rise of about 24% by our own arithmetic. Yearend stocks fell from 9,600 to 8,100 tons, so some of the extra demand was met from inventory. Exports of tin waste and scrap dropped from 13,400 tons to an estimated 4,500, about 66% lower, while scrap imports held near 8,100. Refined exports rose from 596 to 850 tons. The chapter does not link these moves to one cause, and the figures are estimates that may be revised.
How to read the numbers
Mine figures are tin content in concentrate, while trade figures include refined metal, alloys and scrap in different weights. Net import reliance excludes government stock changes from 2023. Estimates for 2025 are first reads that the USGS may revise.
How does tin connect to other coverage?
Tin is traded alongside other base and specialty metals. See our reports on zinc in 2025, tungsten in 2025 and silver in 2025, and the USGS summary of U.S. mineral production.
What should readers watch for next?
Readers can watch output in Burma and Indonesia, the Virginia facility and the next USGS edition, which replaces 2025 estimates with reported figures.
Related reading: Antimony in 2025: USGS Shows a $25 Price as U.S. Import Reliance Hits 91 Percent.
Glossary
- Tinplate: thin steel sheet coated with tin
- Solder: a metal alloy that joins electronic parts
- Old scrap: tin recovered from discarded products
- Net import reliance: imports minus exports, as a share of apparent consumption
- Reserves: resources that can be mined economically today
These definitions are general explanations and are not quoted from the USGS.
What is not covered here?
We omit the Australia reserve line, the government stockpile table and any price forecast.
Key facts at a glance
- World mine production, 2025: about 290,000 tons
- China: 71,000 tons; Indonesia: 61,000
- U.S. net import reliance: 77%
- New York dealer price: up 13%
- Recycled tin: about 17,000 tons
Frequently asked questions
Which country mines the most tin?
China, at an estimated 71,000 tons in 2025.
Does the United States mine tin?
No. The USGS says there has been no U.S. tin mining since 1993.
What is tin used for?
Chemicals, tinplate, alloys and solder are the largest listed uses.
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