Study on the magnetic separation processes for recovering wolframite from sheelite flotation tailings

A large scheelite and wolfmirate ore contained 0.44%WO₃ and the distribution rates of WO₃ in fine tungsten sediments such as scheelite, wolfmirate and tungstite are 65.61%、29.41% and 4.98% respectively. The principle flowsheet consists of the scheelite flotation and the tailings are treated to recover wolfmirate. Due to the low grade of the scheelite flotation tailings, it is hard to gain wolfmirate in floation directly. In order to increase the grade of the wolfmirate flotation feed, high-gradient magnetic separator is used to treat the tailings.After one roughing and one scavenging high intensity magnetic separation,the concentrate can have a better grade. Laboratory test results:when the magnetic separation feed contains 0.235%WO₃, the wolfmirate magnetic separation concentrate grade is 0.47%WO₃ and the reovery is 90.64%; industrial test results:when the magnetic separation feed contains 0.20%WO₃, the wolfmirate magnetic separation concentrate grade is 0.43%WO₃ and the recovery is 73.26%.