Paul Barrett, CEO, Rome Resources, highlights the increasingly important role of tin in the critical minerals conversation.
There isn’t a day that goes by in which critical metals aren’t discussed by global leaders scrambling for supply as they become imperative for our development and future. Commonly the focus is on high profile commodities such as copper, lithium, and cobalt. While tin isn’t usually part of the main discussion, it is a fundamental commodity that is needed in every single circuit board and in common with most other critical metals, it is in a structural supply deficit with demand expected to increase by 25% by 2035 according to the International Tin Association. Without a strong supply of tin, there will be severe challenges for the electronics sector.
The supply of tin
Global tin production reached around 290 000 t in 2025, a small market compared to other key commodity metals. The production and supply of tin is concentrated in just a few countries, mostly China, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries have faced various conflicts and disruptions over the years, which has led to an unstable supply chain of tin.
Interestingly, China is a big producer from large low grade deposits and is also the largest refiner of tin. China mines about 71 000 t, just over a third of what it refines, therefore relying heavily on imports. There is no commercial tin production in North America. Smaller mines, for example in the DRC, are much higher grade and provide significant supply to the Far Eastern smelter market. Overall, however there is a clear lack of supply emerging, and most projects still lack funding, permits, and construction timelines.
This year saw tin continue a strong run and reach new highs to a record US$57 525/t in June 2026.
The opportunity for tin
The reason for the rapid increase in demand for tin has been its use in electronics, as well as renewable energy infrastructure. In particular, it is used as a key part of the circuit-board solders. Over 50% of global tin demand goes into electronic solders.
While production has increased with Myanmar and Indonesia’s production back on track, there is still a supply risk for the future of tin production. There needs to be investment in exploration and new mine development to meet future demand. There are some interesting companies emerging, such as Rome Resources, with exploration assets in the DRC, just 8 km away from Alphamin’s Bisie Mine. Bisie produces some of the highest grade tin in the world, averaging roughly 4 – 5% Sn, which is three to five times higher than the average grade of most industrial tin mines globally. Rome has resources booked nearby in the same play.
Rome also has assets in eastern Canada which is another promising jurisdiction for tin. As mentioned earlier, China already is the largest refiner of tin, but Europe and the US are lagging in terms of production and refining, which they need to acknowledge for the future to be a significant player in the race for critical metals. Potential projects in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia could pave the way for a future in tin production in North America.
Furthermore, a recent fundraise by Cornish Metals to re-open a historic tin mine in the UK, demonstrates interest is growing for the metal.
With demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and electronics continuing to grow, the pressure on tin supply is only likely to grow in tandem. Every one of these technologies depends on electronics, and every electronic device depends on solder. Unlike some other critical metals, tin has few practical substitutes in its main applications, which means higher prices alone will not significantly dampen demand.
The supply side faces a more difficult path. Production is concentrated in a handful of jurisdictions, many of which have a history of political and operational disruption, while new projects take years to move from discovery to production. Even with Myanmar and Indonesia recovering, the pipeline of new mines is thin and the gap between what the world needs and what it can reliably produce could widen well before the end of the decade.
For investors, it highlights a market where the fundamentals are strong but attention is still limited. Companies with high-grade assets, credible exploration programmes, and access to funding are well placed to benefit as the market catches up.
Tin may have been forgotten in the critical metals conversation, but it is unlikely to stay that way. As the world builds its digital and low-carbon future, the metal that quietly holds every circuit board together deserves a place at the centre of the discussion.
