Tin Extraction method, classiterite beneficiation method, ex

Cassiterite Introduce

Cassiterite(SnO2)' otherwise known as tinstone, is the only tin mineral that is in sufficient abundance in  the earth's crust to have any commercial value. When chemically pure, which is rare, cassiterite contains 78,6 percent tin but, when contaminated with impurities, the tin content varies between 73 and 75 percent.

The main commercial tin fields of the world are as follows: West of England, Brittany, and  Erzgeburge;  Burma ,Siam, Malay States, and Indonesia; Bolivia; Nigeria; Australasia; and Southern Africa.

Cassiterite is mainly found in two types of deposits. In the first, it occurs as a primary accessory constituent of certain late-stage granitic intrusions, and is found in veins and fissures both in the granite and surround-ding country rock.The second type of deposit is of a secondary origin and occurs as alluvial or placer and detrital deposits.

Tin Extraction Plant in Nigeria

Alluvial Tin deposits

alluvial deposits, which account for 70 to 80 percent of the world reserves, and the beneficiation processes are relatively simple because of the high degree of liberation of the particles.

It is obvious from the physical characteristics of cassiterite that its high relative density in relation to its gangue constituents makes it an ideal mineral for the application of gravity-separation techniques.

Alluvial Tin Extraction Working Site in Mongolia

 Where the recovery of cassiterite is by dredging, the difficulty encountered is not so much in the raising of the material but in its subsequent treatment, since the working area on the dredges can be very limited. Consequently, jigs are the favoured method of concentration.

Mineral Jig Used on the Dredge

Hard-rock Deposits

For hard-rock ores, liberation of the cassiterite from the associated gangue minerals is achieved by conventional crushing and grinding. However, because of cassiterite's extreme brittleness, significant quantities of very fine particles can be produced at this stage, resulting in losses of tin in the succeeding processing stages.

Cassiterite Ore

Cassiterite Beneficiation Site in Rwanda