The most important deposits of tin in veins are those of Bolivia, some of which are exceptionally rich. These are found in granitic rocks forming the core of the high Cordillera Real and in the adjacent intruded sediments, in narrow fissure veins and broader brecciated zones containing the typical ore and gangue minerals described above, and also, in many cases, silver-bearing sulphides (chiefly tetrahedrite). There appear to be all gradations in type from silver-free tin ores to tin-free silver ores, although the extremes are now believed to be rare. In the main the tin ores, with abundant tourmaline, appear to be more closely related to the coarse-grained granites, and to indicate intense conditions of heat and pressure, while the more argentiferous ores, with very little or no tourmaline, are found in relation to finer-grained quartz porphyries and even rhyolites, and seem to indicate less intense conditions at the time of deposition. The ores of the whole area, which is a few hundred miles long, have been supposed to represent a single genetic unit, and the sundry variations are believed to be local facies of a general mineralization. Processes of secondary enrichment have in places yielded large quantities of oxidized silver minerals and wood tin near the surface, with accumulations of ruby silver ores at greater depths.
The only other vein deposits which are at present of consequence are those of Cornwall. Here batholiths of granite have been intruded into Paleozoic slates and sandstones, and tin ores occur in fissures and stockworks in the marginal zones. With the exhaustion of the more easily mined placers, the lode deposits will doubtless be of increasing importance.
Cassiterite is practically insoluble and is very resistant to decomposition by weathering. Oxide zones of tin deposits are therefore enriched by removal of the more soluble minerals. Stannite probably alters to "wood tin," a fibrous variety of cassiterite. Secondary enrichment of tin deposits by redeposition of tin minerals is negligible.
URANIUM AND RADIUM ORES
Economic Features
Radium salts are used in various medical treatments—especially for cancer, internal tumors, lupus, and birth marks—and in luminous paints. During the latter part of the war it is estimated that over nine-tenths of the radium produced was used in luminous paints for the dials of watches and other instruments. In addition part of the material owned by physicians was devoted to this purpose, and it is probable that the accumulated stocks held by the medical profession were in this way reduced by one-half. The greatly extended use of radium, together with the distinctly limited character of the world's known radium supplies, has led to some concern; and considerable investigation has been made of the possibilities of mesothorium as a substitute for radium in luminous paints. Low-grade radium residues are used to some extent as fertilizers.
Uranium has been used as a steel alloy, but has not as yet gained wide favor. Uranium salts have a limited use as yellow coloring agents in pottery and glass. The principal use of uranium, however, is as a source of radium, with which it is always associated.
European countries first developed the processes of reduction of radium salts from their ores. Most of the European ores are obtained from Austria, where the mines are owned and operated by the Austrian government, and small quantities are mined in Cornwall, England, and in Germany. Production is decreasing. The European hospitals and municipalities have acquired nearly all of the production.