Tin and zinc separation from tin, zinc bearing complex iron ores by selective reduction process

Abstract

Tin, zinc bearing complex iron ores are typically intractable and have not been efficiently utilised in China. In this investigation, the process mineralogy of the tin, zinc bearing iron ores and reduction behaviours of iron, tin and zinc oxides by CO were investigated. A selective reduction roasting process was initially developed to separate tin and zinc from the complex iron ores. Under optimum conditions, most of the tin and zinc were effectively removed from the iron ore pellets, and the roasted pellets could be used as high quality ironmaking burdens for large scale blast furnaces.