Some considerations on processing cassiterite-bearing polymetallic sulphide ores in China

Scopus: Tin resources are mainly distributed in Yunnan and Guangxi autonomous regions, China. Tin ores in these areas are characterized by polymetallic constituents, including copper, zinc, lead and other associated elements that can be recovered. Due to the complex mineral composition and texture of the ores, gravity concentration, flotation as well as some combined processing techniques used in some major concentrators are reviewed and discussed. Case study shows that the comprehensive utilization of the tin ores can be realized to produce some marketable products for smelters. But much work on recovery of the fine fractions of tin shall still be done to get a good processing performance for the resource sustainable development.