Abstract: In a case study of a low-grade copper ore containing silver from Qinghai,based on identifying the ore type and silver distribution state,the comparison tests of ore processing processes such as mixed flotation of raw ore and preferential flotation were carried out.The results show that mixed flotation was fit for the ore treatment;under optimal conditions,when mixed flotation is used,the process flow of two-stage mixed concentrate grinding to separate silver and sulfur can obtain silver concentrates with a silver grade of 3 882.0 g/t,silver recovery rate of 82.32 %,copper grade of 10.43 % and copper recovery rate of 67.94 %，the silver and copper recovery rates are 1.50 percen-tage points and 1.92 percentage points higher respectively than those of preferential flotation.In addition,52.2 % of the tailings can be abandoned in advance,which is efficient and environmentally friendly,reducing grinding costs and providing a detailed basis for mine development and utilization.