Research Progress Concerning Tin Deposits in China

This chapter systematically synthesizes the spatial distribution and geological characteristics of the tin‒metallogenic belts in China, with a focus on analyzing their tectonic settings and key ore-controlling factors. The results of this analysis indicate that Chinese tin deposits predominantly occur in tectonic zones located along plate margins and are controlled by multiple dynamic mechanisms, including oceanic crust subduction, continent‒continent collisions, and intraplate extensions. Among these, the mineralization associated with regional extensional settings (e.g., back-arc basins, postorogenic extensions, and intracontinental rifts) accounts for 96% of the nation’s tin resources. This study identifies ten favorable factors for Sn mineralization, including tin-enriched geochemical provinces, multiple mineralization episodes, highly fractionated granite evolution trends, and crust–mantle interactions. These findings reveal that multistage tectonic–magmatic events, volatile enrichment processes, and deep-seated fault systems are critical conditions for the formation of large to superlarge tin deposits. This comprehensive study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the understanding of the tin metallogeny in China and guiding explorations.