Why is electrolytic refining especially useful for tin from complex ores?

Electrolytic refining is especially useful for tin derived from complex ores because it allows for the production of a very high grade of tin, reaching up to 99.999 percent purity.1

While fire refining is the standard method for general commercial use, it is less effective at achieving the extreme purity levels required for products derived from complex, impurity-heavy ores. Complex sulfide ores, such as those found in Bolivia, often contain significant impurities that remain even after complicated mineral processing and smelting. By casting impure tin into anodes and utilizing an acidic electrolyte, electrolytic refining provides a more precise separation process to achieve superior metal quality. Additionally, this method is frequently employed in the processing of secondary tin, such as the detinning of tinplate, to ensure high-purity output.1234