Tin in Lao PDR
Tin exploration and exploitation in Lao PDR has been undertaken since the period of French colonisation. Nowadays, two companies are carrying out exploration and mining activities.

Bo Baikal Company is holding an exploration concession area of 5641ha and a mining concession area of 40 ha which is located in Boneng area, Hinboun district, Khammouan province. Another company, Lao – Korea Tin Company is holding an exploration concession area of 2019 ha and a mining concession area of 50 ha which is situated in Phontiou area, Hinboun district, Khammouan province. The Lao-Korean Company mine 500 to 600 ton per year with a grade of 70% cassiterite. The concentrate is sold to Thailand. The Russian Bo Baikal mine produces reportedly 550 tons of concentrate with a grade of 50% cassiterite per year.

The geologic setting of the tin deposits in Lao PDR is not well understood, since the host rocks are extensively altered by lateritisation. Tin is exclusively mined from weathered rock.

Exploration is for tin is presently carried out in an area east of Vientiane.

Geochemical investigations proved many tin anomalies mainly in the eastern part of the country.


Tin plant at Boneng
in Lao PDR.
Graph of Production and Sales of Tin in Lao 1997-2003