Cassiterit

Cassiterite is a mineral composed of tin dioxide, SnO2. It is the most important ore of tin. It typically forms in granitic intrusions and associated pegmatites and hydrothermal veins. Crystals are often prismatic and striated, with a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of around 7. Its color can range from colorless to black, and it often possesses an adamantine to submetallic luster. Cassiterite is found in many parts of the world, with significant deposits historically and currently mined in countries such as China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. It is a relatively stable mineral, resistant to weathering. The extraction of tin from cassiterite involves smelting processes. Tin itself has a wide range of applications, including in solder, tinplate for food packaging, bronze alloys, and pewter. The mineral's name is derived from the Greek word kassiteros, meaning tin. While other tin-bearing minerals exist, cassiterite is by far the primary commercial source.