Thermally Assisted Grinding of Cassiterite Associated with Pollimetallic Ore: A Comparison between Microwave and Conventional Furnaces

We investigated the influence of microwave and conventional heating pretreatments on grinding cassiterite associated with pollimetallic ore. The minerals that exhibited a stronger absorption ability crushed first, which is main difference between traditional pretreatments. distribution Fe, Pb, Zn, Sn increased in fine size range (−0.425 mm). Fe Pb grades ranges −3.2 + 2 mm −2 1 after pretreatment (6 kW, min) were lower than those (12 400 °C, 20 min), indicating selective was beneficial for pyrite jamesonite. grade decreased significantly −0.425 0.15 −0.15 0.074 mm. Microwave treatment promoted sulfide ore reduced overgrinding.