cassiterite

American  

[kuh-sit-uh-rahyt] / kəˈsɪt əˌraɪt /

noun

1. a brown or black mineral, tin dioxide, SnO 2 , that crystallizes in the tetragonal system; tinstone: the principal ore of tin.

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cassiterite British  

/ kəˈsɪtəˌraɪt /

noun

1. Also called: tinstone.  a black or brown mineral, found in igneous rocks and hydrothermal veins. It is a source of tin. Composition: tin oxide. Formula: SnO 2 . Crystal structure: tetragonal

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Etymology

Origin of cassiterite

1855–60; < Greek kassíter ( os ) tin + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cassiterite

On the recent trip into the forest, they found a recently abandoned gold mine and the active mine harvesting cassiterite, the main ore to make tin.

From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2023

The principle tin ore is the oxide cassiterite, SnO2, and the principle lead and thallium ores are the sulfides or the products of weathering of the sulfides.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Regardless of the method, searching for gold and other minerals like cassiterite and niobium is dirty, dangerous and often illegal.

From Reuters ● Sep. 14, 2017

Eastern Congo is blessed with gold, coltan, cassiterite and other minerals.

From New York Times ● Dec. 17, 2012

Tin comes from the ore cassiterite; zinc from sphalerite and zincblende, or blackjack.

From Let's Collect Rocks and Shells by Shell Union Oil Corporation