11 Best Places To Find Tin Metal Detecting 

Ever imagine unearthing forgotten tin treasures right under your feet? Where are the hot spots for detecting tin? Let’s embark on this thrilling hunt together!

best places to find Tin metal detecting

Ever since my childhood, I have been curious about metal detecting. My grandfather told me that tin foils were replaced by aluminum foils after World War II.

From then on, I became interested in finding tin treasures and traveled to various locations in the US in search of them, knowing they held historical value.

I’ve read numerous books and consulted experts about areas where I might find these tin treasures, and I’ve been successful in my pursuits.

Now with years of experience, here’s what I know about, the best places to detect tin are,

  1. Old mines
  2. Beaches
  3. Forests
  4. Farmlands
  5. Historical sites
  6. Urban areas
  7. Riverbanks
  8. Construction sites
  9. Dumping sites
  10. Railroad tracks
  11. Old food factories 

I’ve found a lot of interesting information about tin. If you’re keen to know what I know, the rest of my writing is for you. 

In this article, I’ll explore all the top locations you can find tin treasures and how to identify them in detail.

Keep scrolling down!

Did you know fact about Detecting Tin treasure
Did you know fact about Detecting Tin treasure

Best Places To Find Tin Metal

Since this is today’s main talk, let me explain everything I got to know about the above-listed places and how to find Tin treasures there. 

1. Old Mines

Old mine areas would be a rewarding place in finding tin. The first thing that has to be done is to search for the history of this area. 

Look for maps and old photographs of the mine. This will give you an idea of where to exactly start looking. 

You can also visit the place and examine the area to identify the areas that mining has been done. These areas will give a rough idea about where tin is extracted. 

Be careful while walking because there might be unstable grounds and collapsed tunnels still lying around. 

Old mines are great for tin metal detecting
Old mines are great for tin metal detecting

2. Beaches

Look for the current situation and the history of the beaches that caught your attention.

Beaches near old ports, shipwrecks, and old docks might have tin. 

Ask the people who live around to know more about the area.

When you are about to detect, look for low tide times as those times are idle for searching as most of the beach will be exposed.

Also, look for black sand areas. Areas that have a high concentration of black sand are believed to have tin metal.

Beaches are one of the favourites for metal detectorists
Beaches are one of the favourites for metal detectorists

3. Forests

Before getting into a forest, you have to do proper research. Look out for any location around the forest that is related to tin mining. 

These places can have a good deposition of tin.

Also, tin is most of the time associated with other minerals such as feldspar, quartz and muscovite. 

These are visible on the surface and sometimes indicated by mineralized rocks and veins. Look for such places as well. 

If the forest area is famous as a camping spot, look for the specific areas where people might have left behind old cans and tools made out of tin.

Forest for tin metal detecting
Forest for tin metal detecting

4. Farmlands

The easiest way to find the best spots around farmlands is by talking to the owners. 

They know what are the specific areas that they are using or have used in the past to dump things.

There’s a probability of finding tin-based objects among the old farm machinery and other equipment.

Farmlands are great for tin metal detecting
Farmlands are great for tin metal detecting

5. Historical Sites

In order to find the best spots to detect tin at historical sites, you’ll need to go to a library in the area or else to the municipality. 

They have old maps, records, and documents that can give clues on what are the exact spots.

Find out whether the area is related to tin production or usage. Some documents might indicate if any mining activities have happened around the area. 

Also, talk to the neighbors and old people living around the site. They will probably give you some clues. 

Historical sites are excellent metal detecting locations
Historical sites are excellent metal-detecting locations

6. Urban Areas

There will be a large number of potential locations to find tin in urban areas. 

Discarded materials, construction materials and other objects that contain tin can be found here.

Walk around the targeted area first and take a look at the places. 

Take a map with you and mark the location that you’re quite sure about.

There will be a lot of dumpsters and dumping areas around the city. 

These places are filled with old tin cans, containers, machinery and pipes that contain tin. 

Mark every place down on the map and then you can start the detection.

Urban cities are great for treasure hunting
Urban cities are great for treasure hunting

7. River Banks 

Find out geological maps in order to look for specific areas along the river bank. There will also be old tin mining sites in these areas.

Also talk to people who live nearby the river. They might have an idea on what happened around the area. 

Check for the shallow areas as it will be easy to detect tin at these locations. 

Riverbanks are great for tin metal detecting
Riverbanks are great for tin metal detecting

8. Construction Sites

Construction sites probably have a lot of metals. Take a look patiently and carefully around the area. 

Old building materials such as gutters, pipes, and sheets will have tin in them.

Also, you can talk to the people at the site and ask them whether they are using anything made out of tin. This will make your detection more accurate.

Construction sites are great for tin metal detecting
Construction sites are great for tin metal detecting

9. Dumping Sites

This is one of the best places to find anything because people dump a lot of stuff here. 

The area sometimes will be separated according to the garbage type. This is so convenient for you while searching for tin. 

Ask the workers the exact location where metal garbage is sorted out. So that you will know where to look. 

With a dumping site, chances of finding tin is extremely high. 

Dumping sites are full of treasures
Dumping sites are full of treasures

10. Railroad Tracks

Railroad tracks have a long history. They have been used for so many years. 

Therefore if thorough research is done on the history of the construction and surrounding area, you’ll be able to find potential leads.

Even though the rail tracks are made of steel, the other parts like spikes, bolts and washers might have been made with tin. 

So keep in mind to check with such little things.

Tin coins can be found on railway tracks
Tin coins can be found on railway tracks

11. Old Food Factories 

This is another fantastic place to find tin metal. Food is mostly packed in tin containers and cans. 

These will be leftover as new ones in the storage areas or as damaged ones at the dumpsters inside the factory.

A lot of tin-based objects can be found here.

Be cautious and careful because some of the tin parts might cut your skin while detesting. 

Old food factory are full of Tin treasures
Old food factory are full of Tin treasures

Now let’s talk about states and areas in those states you can find most Tin treasures.

Best Places In The USA To Detect Tin

Tin-based alloy metals can be found in any part of the United States. 

But when it comes to pure tin, there are a few places that own tin mines. These places can be used to detect pure tin metal.

So, let’s discuss those Tin treasure areas in detail.

1. Alaska

Alaska owns one of the most significant tin mines in the United States: The Lost River Tin Mine in the Seward Peninsula. 

It is recorded that the total tons of tin that are produced by this mine is about 10,000. 

Still, there will be leftover tin metal remains around. 

So with permission, detectors can look for tin at this place.

2. Missouri 

The Pea Ridge mine is a still operating mine site that is very modern and based underground.

It is one of the largest known tin and tungsten deposits in the world.

The surrounding area can be used to detect tin and the probability of finding some is high.

Tin metal detecting area Near Pea Ridge mine in Missouri
Tin metal detecting area Near Pea Ridge mine in Missouri

3. California

California used to have mines during the 1800s and 1900s. Two of the main tin-based mines were the San Diego County and Inyo County mines. 

These are no longer operational. But the area can be detected with permission.

Tin metal detecting area in San Diego County, Southern California
Tin metal detecting area in San Diego County, Southern California

4. South Dakota

Keystone, South Dakota owned a tin mine known as the Etta Mine. This was operated from 1902 to 1944.

This place is very old but probably has remnants of the metal. If you get a chance, you’ll be permitted to detect the place.

Tin metal detecting area near Etta Mine Keystone South Dakota
Tin metal detecting area near Etta Mine Keystone South Dakota

5. New Mexico

There are tin deposits around the Santa Fe and the Taos areas. These places have past records of producing tin in small amounts. 

But these deposits are no longer being mined.

Therefore, these locations are open without restrictions to perform any metal detection.

Tin metal detecting area in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Tin metal detecting area in Santa Fe, New Mexico

6. Maine

Silver Brook, Mount Mica, and Dunton Mines are some of the famous mines for tin metal around Maine’s coastal volcanic belt. 

The surrounding areas are believed to have small tin deposits. With permission, these areas can be detected.

Tin metal detecting area in Silver Brook, Maine
Tin metal detecting area in Silver Brook, Maine

Best Places In The World To Detect Tin

I haven’t specific areas of these countries where tin could be detected, but I have trusted friendly detectors who frequently collect Tin treasures all around the world.

Let me give you a brief idea of the countries that have tin mines and deposits.

1. Southeast Asia 

This is known to be the world’s largest tin-producing area. The deposits here are usually found along the river banks and sides of the streams.

Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia are known to be the top locations on the list of this region. 

Tin metal detecting area in Tailing ponds at Malaysia
Tin metal detecting area in Tailing ponds at Malaysia

2. China

China is also famous for producing tin. It has a large deposit of tin in almost all of the provinces. Yunnan is known to be the major producer. 

Tin metal detecting area in Yunnan, China
Tin metal detecting area in Yunnan, China

3. Bolivia

Bolivia owns high-graded tin deposits that have pure tin. The deposits are also large compared to the other deposits in the world. 

Most of these deposits are concentrated in the Potosi region of the Andes mountains.

Potosi mining city view,Bolivia
Potosi mining city view,Bolivia

4. Peru

The southern part of the country has tin deposits and mines are located there as well. The deposits are however recorded to be small.

5. Australia 

The Cairns Townsville region in northern Queensland and Grampians area in Victoria has the largest tin deposits in Australia. 

Tin metal detecting area in Grampians national park Australia
Tin metal detecting area in Grampians national park Australia

6. England

In the 19th century, Cornwall was the world’s leading source of tin. It has supplied over 40% of the world’s tin supply.

The area is now open for detecting hobbyists. 

There are some other countries that have very small tin deposits. 

However, keep in mind that these areas will need permission before starting any detection activity. 

So make sure you do a thorough search on it. 

Metal detecting area in Cornwall England
Metal detecting area in Cornwall England

How Deep Can A Metal Detector Detect Tin?

Tin is usually not a highly conductive metal. It has conductivity only to a certain extent. But Tin can be detected with your metal detector.

So it can only distract the signals of the detector when it is located just below the surface. This can be around 4-8 inches deep.

But if the object is larger (think about a big tin can) it might distract the detector even if it is located a little deeper.

Read to know, How Deep Can a Metal Detector Detect?

Tip for detecting Tin treasures
Tip for detecting Tin treasures

How To Identify Tin?

Before discussing this, I have to tell you one thing. 

You cannot find tin in its pure form. It will always be in the form of an alloy that is combined with another one or a few types of metals.

The pure form of tin is silvery white that has a bluish hue. 

When it is in the form of an alloy, it’s slightly bronze in color.

So here are some of the methods that can be used easily to identify tin,

Magnet Test

Tin is slightly magnetic. This is called paramagnetic, which is the definition for having a weak magnetic force.

So you can bring the metal closer to a magnet and observe that it is weakly attracting towards the magnet. 

Tin does not show strong attraction or repulsion. So if you can witness an action like mentioned above, it’s probably tin.

Flame Test

Tin has a unique color when it is heated. Heat a small part of the metal using a flame and observe the emitting color. It will emit a white flame with blue hues.

Tinplate Test

Food cans usually have a tin coating. But the tin itself is not made out of tin. 

So take a pin and scratch the surface of the tin. 

Check if there’s a different layer underneath the scratched surface. 

If the two metal colors are different, the upper surface layer is tin.

Acid Test

Take vinegar or a diluted solution of HCL and apply it to the object. Tin doesn’t react a lot with acids. But most of the other metals do. 

So if there’s a noticeable reaction happening, that is not tin.

Congrats folks! Now you know the best places to find tin metal detecting in detail.

Tip for detecting Tin
Tip for detecting Tin

Tin has been utilized by humans for over 5,000 years. Today, about a third of the world’s tin is used in electronics and industrial applications, showcasing its enduring importance in our daily lives.

www.internationaltin.org

So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

FAQs

What are the main uses of tin?

Tin is commonly used to coat other metals to prevent them from rusting and corroding. 

Is tin toxic?

No. It is considered as non-toxic and that’s why it is used to layer the outer surfaces of the food cans.

Is tin used on electronic applications?

Yes. It is a good conductor of electricity and it is used in circuit boards and capacitors. 

What precautions should be taken while metal detecting for tin?

Safety should always be prioritized when metal detecting for tin, especially in potentially dangerous areas such as old mines and construction sites, and be aware of sharp tin objects that may cause cuts.

Which states in the US are known for their tin mines?

Alaska, Missouri, California, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Maine are some of the US states known for their tin mines or deposits.

Did I cover all you wanted to know about the Best Places To Find Tin Metal Detecting

In this article, I’ve deeply discussed the best places to find tin metal detecting and how to identify tin treasures easily without messing things up.

The best places to find tin using a metal detector include old tin mines, beaches, forests, historical sites, riverbanks, farmlands, construction sites, dumping sites, railroad tracks, and old food factories, especially in regions known for tin deposits like Alaska, Southeast Asia, Bolivia, and England.

Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.

That’s it. I think I have covered everything on top locations to find Tin. Hope you have gained so much knowledge regarding this.

If you are having anything extra in your mind, let me know! I’d love to hear!

Keep your tin up and look for tin!

Hi! I’m the treasure hunter and adventurer behind DetectingTreasures.com. I'm here to share my knowledge, inspire your adventures, and provide practical guides to help you succeed in your own treasure hunting journey. Read More...

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