Cassiterite
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Cassiterite,
mineral consisting of tin dioxide (SnO2). It forms crystals in
the tetragonal system and has a hardness of 6 to 7 and a specific gravity,
or relative density, of 7. Usually dark brown to black, it has a dull
luster. Cassiterite occurs in high-temperature vein deposits and as an
accessory in pegmatites,
coarse-grained. It also occurs in the form of small pebbles in river and
marine alluvial deposits. Cassiterite is the only commercially important
ore of tin. It has been mined in Cornwall, England,
since ancient times, but the principal sources today are Bolivia, the
Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo. In the
United States it is found in Alaska's Seward Peninsula. Information from "Cassiterite," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000 http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2000 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. |
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