Optimisation of a Multi-Gravity Separator with Novel Modifications for the Recovery of Ferberite

Abstract

Abstract:Tungsten is considered by the European Union as a critical raw material for future development due to its expected demand and scarcity of resource within Europe. It is therefore, critical to optimize European tungsten operations and maximise recoveries. The role of enhanced gravity/centrifugal concentrators in recovering tungsten from ultra-fine fractions should form an important part of this aim. Reported herein are the results of investigations to improve efficiency of Wolf Minerals' Draklends mine, a major European tungsten mine, by recovering saleable material from a magnetic waste stream of a low-intensity magnetic separator using an enhanced gravity concentrator. The mine hosts wolframite and ferberite as the main tungsten bearing mineral species. A Mozley multi-gravity separator (MGS) C-900 was selected as it is suited to exploiting small variations in mineral density to affect a separation. Working with a current manufacturer, a novel scraping blade system was tested. To assess the MGS in a statistically valid manner, a response surface methodology was followed to determine optimal test conditions. The test programme showed that the most important parameters were drum speed and wash water rate. Under optimal conditions the model predicted that 40% of the tungsten could be recovered above the required grade of 43% WO 3 .

Recovery of Ultra-Fine Tungsten and Tin from Slimes Using Large-Scale SLon-2400 Centrifugal Separator

“…In practice, the efficiency for recovering such ultra-fine values, especially for those with particle size below 20 µm, would be very low even unpractical [4][5][6]. Enhanced gravity separation, i.e., centrifugal separation, has provided a potential method for the recovery of such ultra-fine heavy minerals [7][8][9][10]. For instance, Knelson and Falcon separators were respectively reported effective for separation of fine gold and coal [11,12]; however, their effective applications for ultra-fine tungsten and tin minerals were seldom reported.…”

Status of Tin Mineral Resources according to the Geological Characteristics and Mineralization in Mongolia

“…Physical properties of each mineral in the sample from the Xujixan mine(Kim, 2006;Fitzpatrick et al, 2018) 시료의 특성분석 결과와 광물 별 물리적 특성을 고려한 다면(Table 7), 비중이 7 이상인 광물(석석, 철중석 및 철망 간중석)과 비중이 2-3 정도인 규산염 맥석광물을 비중선별 을 적용하여 1차적으로 분리하는 것이 적절할 것으로 판단 된다. 비중선별 이후에는 비자성 광물인 석석과 자성 광 물인 철중석 또는 철망간중석을 분리하기 위한 자력선별 수행 시 분리 효과가 높을 것으로 사료된다.…”