Tin, chemical symbol Sn, is a relatively soft, silvery-white metal that possesses a high boiling point and low melting point. It is commonly used to plate steel cans and in solder due to its malleability, and ductile properties. Governmental involvement in the production of tin as well as supply-demand economics can affect the current price. By tracking global stock levels for tin on the London Metals Exchange (LME), traders can predict market trends as a result of shortages or surpluses. (read more)

Tin is often combined with copper to form an alloy, a hybrid metal created by combining two or more metals. It can be obtained by removing oxygen in cassiterite (SnO2) using a smelting furnace. Tin is recycled in large quantities. China, Bolivia, Indonesia, and Peru were among the top producers of tin in the early 21st century.