Tin Production by Country 2024

As a metal, tin’s versatility and resistance to corrosion make it a perfect fit for a wide variety of different industries and applications. Examples include electronics, packaging, mechatronics, and the automotive industry. However, tin production is a lot more robust in some countries than in others.

Here’s a closer look at annual tin production around the world, as well as several key factors that can influence yields from one nation to another.

Top Tin-Producing Countries of the World

The following are some of the top tin-producing countries in the world as of 2023.

China

China is easily the world’s top tin producer with an average annual yield that falls between 90,000 and 125,000 metric tons. This level of production is largely due to factors like the country’s long-standing mining and smelting history, as well as its plentiful tin mines, especially throughout Yunnan.

Indonesia

Although not as productive as China when it comes to tin, Indonesia easily comes in second with an annual average yield of between 70,000 and 84,000 metric tons. Not only does Indonesia possess significant tin stores, but it’s become a huge player in the global tin export game over the years, as well.

Peru

With an annual yield of between 26,995 and 29,000 metric tons, Peru is the world’s third-largest tin-producing country. It’s also one of the key tin producers in South America. Peru is known for both its Andes Mountains tin mines and for artisanal tin-mining operations that help support its smaller communities.

Bolivia

Bolivia’s tin industry has faced multiple challenges over the years. However, it remains robust, especially throughout the country’s Cerro Rico area. Bolivia’s annual tin yield typically falls between 18,000 and 19,628 metric tons.

Other key tin-producing countries around the world include Brazil, Australia, Laos, Vietnam, Nigeria, Russia, Malaysia, and Rwanda.

Factors Influencing Tin Production by Country

As is the case with any global resource, world tin production from country to country is subject to multiple key factors. Here are some examples.

Geological Caches

Naturally, the largest contributing factor will be a country’s geological stores of tin ore. The more naturally occurring tin a country has, the better its chances of becoming a top world producer. Dedication to ongoing exploration activities is also important.

Current Regulations

Activities like mining and smelting are often heavily regulated in the face of ongoing environmental concerns. The type of regulation implemented within a country can absolutely affect its overall tin output.