The densification kinetics of 0.99 SnO2-0.01 CuO molar mixtures have been studied between 850 and 1150 degrees C. Both experimental analyses and theoretical modelling show the role of a liquid phase for sintering temperatures T-s greater than or equal to 940 degrees C : sintering is controlled by a liquid phase after a fast shrinkage due to grain rearrangement. The analytical formulation of the shrinkage behaviour suggests that dissolution at the solid-liquid interface is the limiting process when T-s less than or equal to 1000 degrees C and diffusion is the limiting step at higher temperatures.