Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions

Tin is a crucial strategic metal, extensively employed in aerospace, new energy materials, and other advanced fields. However, with the progressive depletion of high-grade tin ores, the utilization of low-grade tin ores for metal tin production has emerged as a significant trend. Nonetheless, low-gr...

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Main Authors: Xianchen Wang, Hong Li, Xinhong Liu, Yuan Tang, Chenquan Ni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2380
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author Xianchen Wang
Hong Li
Xinhong Liu
Yuan Tang
Chenquan Ni
author_facet Xianchen Wang
Hong Li
Xinhong Liu
Yuan Tang
Chenquan Ni
author_sort Xianchen Wang
collection DOAJ
description Tin is a crucial strategic metal, extensively employed in aerospace, new energy materials, and other advanced fields. However, with the progressive depletion of high-grade tin ores, the utilization of low-grade tin ores for metal tin production has emerged as a significant trend. Nonetheless, low-grade tin ores present inherent challenges that hinder their direct application in tin extraction. Flotation remains an effective method to enhance ore grade, yet issues such as fine particle dispersion and ore complexity persist. In light of this, the present study provides a comprehensive review of cassiterite resource characteristics, surface chemistry, flotation reagents, and relevant case studies. By delving into the physicochemical properties of cassiterite, this paper elucidates its floatability and the distinctions among various flotation reagents. Furthermore, it identifies critical challenges in cassiterite flotation and proposes targeted, feasible strategies to support the efficient exploitation of tin resources, thereby fostering the sustainable development of the tin industry.
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institution DOAJ
issn 1420-3049
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-73f73da31f4340a284a00a8907442cbc2025-08-20T03:11:32ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-05-013011238010.3390/molecules30112380Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable SolutionsXianchen Wang0Hong Li1Xinhong Liu2Yuan Tang3Chenquan Ni4School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, ChinaSchool of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Moutai Institute, Renhuai 564507, ChinaEngineering Research Center of Phosphorus Resources Development and Utilization of Ministry of Education, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430073, ChinaSchool of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, ChinaTin is a crucial strategic metal, extensively employed in aerospace, new energy materials, and other advanced fields. However, with the progressive depletion of high-grade tin ores, the utilization of low-grade tin ores for metal tin production has emerged as a significant trend. Nonetheless, low-grade tin ores present inherent challenges that hinder their direct application in tin extraction. Flotation remains an effective method to enhance ore grade, yet issues such as fine particle dispersion and ore complexity persist. In light of this, the present study provides a comprehensive review of cassiterite resource characteristics, surface chemistry, flotation reagents, and relevant case studies. By delving into the physicochemical properties of cassiterite, this paper elucidates its floatability and the distinctions among various flotation reagents. Furthermore, it identifies critical challenges in cassiterite flotation and proposes targeted, feasible strategies to support the efficient exploitation of tin resources, thereby fostering the sustainable development of the tin industry.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2380cassiteriteflotation reagentcollectordepressantactivator
spellingShingle Xianchen Wang
Hong Li
Xinhong Liu
Yuan Tang
Chenquan Ni
Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
Molecules
cassiterite
flotation reagent
collector
depressant
activator
title Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
title_full Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
title_fullStr Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
title_short Advances in Flotation Reagents for Cassiterite Separation: Challenges and Sustainable Solutions
title_sort advances in flotation reagents for cassiterite separation challenges and sustainable solutions
topic cassiterite
flotation reagent
collector
depressant
activator
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2380
work_keys_str_mv AT xianchenwang advancesinflotationreagentsforcassiteriteseparationchallengesandsustainablesolutions
AT hongli advancesinflotationreagentsforcassiteriteseparationchallengesandsustainablesolutions
AT xinhongliu advancesinflotationreagentsforcassiteriteseparationchallengesandsustainablesolutions
AT yuantang advancesinflotationreagentsforcassiteriteseparationchallengesandsustainablesolutions
AT chenquanni advancesinflotationreagentsforcassiteriteseparationchallengesandsustainablesolutions