Five tannin extracts from different trees were used to improve jamesonite flotation in the Changpo plant in Nandan, China. The flotation results demonstrated that the larch tannin extract was the best for improving jamesonite flotation. Compared to flotation without larch tannin extract, industrial trial results indicated that the Sb and Pb grade in the final concentrate increased from 13.1% and 14.8% to 17.6% and 19.9%, respectively, as the Zn grade decreased from 9.1 to 6.5%. In addition, the Sb and Pb recovery of 84.5% was achieved with the larch tannin extract (84.2% without larch tannin extract). Larch tannin extract depressed not only marmatite, but also to some extent pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, calcite and quartz. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.