The world’s tin industry gathered in Seville, Spain this week for the International Tin Conference to discuss tin’s strategic role in a changing world.
More than 260 delegates from 35 countries met from 19-21 May for discussions across responsible sourcing, critical minerals policy, market trends, future supply security, and innovative tin technologies.
International Tin Association (ITA) Chairman and OMSA Bolivia Managing Director, Mariano Pero welcomed delegates to the conference and highlighted tin’s essential role to the global economy, and the role of new supply from a variety of sources to secure the industry’s future.
Andalusian Minister for Industry, Energy and Mining Jorge Paradela outlined the regional government’s critical mineral mining policy, while Chatham House’s Head of Critical Minerals Initiative Chris Vandome offered a global outlook on critical minerals.
Immediately after addressing the conference, the Minister spoke to radio station Canal Sur about the challenges of progressing mineral projects and Australian tin developer Elementos’ tin project in Andalucia, Oropesa. In this conversation, Paradela shared that said that the ministry anticipates Oropesa’s permits will be granted “by the end of the year or in the first half of 2027” – a significant step forward for advancing new European tin supply.
ITA CEO Helen Prins led a dialogue session with leaders from Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Fund, Yunnan Tin, Minsur, MMR, and Chatham House about strategies to secure long-term and responsible supply.
Following this, officials from Austria’s Federal Ministry of Finance, the LME, the Global Electronics Association, and ITSCI discussed transparency in the tin supply chain and progress to build downstream trust in responsible tin. This follows a meeting convened by ITA ahead of the conference of its Responsible Tin Network, a group dedicated to shaping discussion and exploring solutions across ESG, traceability, and supply chain themes.
Looking to the future, the conference saw sessions on future supply with speakers from Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Fund, Cornish Metals, Elementos, and Stellar Resources, and on innovation in tin technologies with speakers from Metso, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Renesis Metals, the University of Leoben, Aqua Metrology Systems, and Edortech.
Delegates were taken on two industry tours during the week. On Monday, ITA Explorers & Developers (E&D) Group member Elementos led a visit to their flagship Oropesa Tin Project and to the nearby Rio Tinto copper mine operated by Atalaya Mining. Additionally, Atlantic Copper hosted a tour of their e-waste recycling facility as a part of its Circular Project.
Spain is a key country for tin, with strong circularity of supply through secondary producers such as leading recycler CRM Synergies, as well as a strong solder and alloys industry and the primary tin supply chain being established by Elementos. Manuel Alonso, CEO of CRM Synergies spoke to delegates about the case for tin tolling in Europe and the potential for Spain to become a global processing hub.
ITA thanks our esteemed sponsors and all delegates for their participation in the premier event for the global tin industry. ITA continues to work to lead the industry towards a sustainable future, championing innovation, responsible practices, and collaboration across the supply chain.
