Characterization and Beneficiation Options for Tungsten Recovery from Yxsjöberg Historical Ore Tailings

Mulenshi, Jane; Khavari, Pourya; Chelgani, S. Chehreh; Rosenkranz, Jan

doi:10.3390/pr7120895

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…As such, apatite ((Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 )(F, Cl, or OH)) in apatite-iron tailings has become an essential source of phosphates for agricultural purposes. Tailings repositories pose an environmental concern − and, in some cases, present reprocessing opportunities. , Due to the stricter environmental regulation, mining houses are under pressure to ensure the impacts are mitigated. On the other hand, tailings’ reprocessing as secondary resources often bring economic advantages as grinding is usually minimal or not required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanobubble-Assisted Flotation of Apatite Tailings: Insights on Beneficiation Options

2021

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Processing of materials that originated from tailings of industrial plants (with a wide range of particle size distribution, “PSD”) without grinding has several advantages since mines are faced with a lot of pressure to minimize their environmental impacts. This article indicates that the introduction of submicron bubbles (known as nanobubbles, “NBs”) to conventional flotation could improve the separation efficiency of valuable minerals from their associated gangue phases. It was demonstrated that metallurgical responses (recovery, grade, selectivity, and kinetics) of NB flotation could improve compared to those of conventional tests. Various hydrodynamic cavitation setups for NB generation may lead to different metallurgical responses. In general, the addition of surfactants (frothers and collectors) for NB generation could increase both mass and water recoveries, which would be key factors on selectivity. Selectivity is also markedly dependent on the PSD of feed, and the selectivity of NB flotation is improved significantly by decreasing the feed size. In general, generation of NBs in the presence of a frother leads to higher flotation metallurgical responses than in the presence of a collector.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanobubble-Assisted Flotation of Apatite Tailings: Insights on Beneficiation Options

2021

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“…Because of the relatively low tungsten content in the ore, around 0.4-0.6% on average [42], the production of 1 t of tungsten concentrate (50-65% WO 3 ) generates 7-10 t of tailings [43]. The major components of tungsten tailings are typically SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, and Fe 2 O 3 , while W, Cu, S, Sn, Zn, Be, and Bi are the major trace elements [44]. Much of the wolframite in tungsten tailings is below 25 µm [45], and the scheelite is below 74 µm [46].…”

Section: Secondary Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Tungsten Resources and Potential Extraction from Mine Waste

2021

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Tungsten is recognized as a critical metal due to its unique properties, economic importance, and limited sources of supply. It has wide applications where hardness, high density, high wear, and high-temperature resistance are required, such as in mining, construction, energy generation, electronics, aerospace, and defense sectors. The two primary tungsten minerals, and the only minerals of economic importance, are wolframite and scheelite. Secondary tungsten minerals are rare and generated by hydrothermal or supergene alteration rather than by atmospheric weathering. There are no reported concerns for tungsten toxicity. However, tungsten tailings and other residues may represent severe risks to human health and the environment. Tungsten metal scrap is the only secondary source for this metal but reprocessing of tungsten tailings may also become important in the future. Enhanced gravity separation, wet high-intensity magnetic separation, and flotation have been reported to be successful in reprocessing tungsten tailings, while bioleaching can assist with removing some toxic elements. In 2020, the world’s tungsten mine production was estimated at 84 kt of tungsten (106 kt WO3), with known tungsten reserves of 3400 kt. In addition, old tungsten tailings deposits may have great potential for exploration. The incomplete statistics indicate about 96 kt of tungsten content in those deposits, with an average grade of 0.1% WO3 (versus typical grades of 0.3–1% in primary deposits). This paper aims to provide an overview of tungsten minerals, tungsten primary and secondary resources, and tungsten mine waste, including its environmental risks and potential for reprocessing.

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“…Tungsten (W), a specialty metal with exceptional properties, is utilized in aerospace, construction, mining, automotive, military, ammunition, electronics, and many other industries. The latter properties make the replacement of W by other metals difficult for many industrial applications [10][11][12] . Concerns about W supply security have been discussed by different studies [13] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tungsten tailings issues and reprocessing solutions

Msumange,

Bru

et al. 2023

Miner Miner Mater

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This paper aims to provide an overview of tungsten (W) tailings properties, detrimental impacts of these tailings, approaches to mitigate these impacts, and a presentation of methods to reprocess them to capture their economic value. Since W is widely used in a variety of industries, it has been extensively mined since the 19th century, and the mining continues to generate significant volumes of tailings. Recent data show that global W production stands at 84 kt per year, and more than 100 Mt of W tailings exist containing over 100 kt of WO3. The tailings contain variable amounts of valuable products and deleterious environmental substances. Some of the contained metals are in great demand for the energy transition. However, these tailings usually contain FeS2/Pyrrhotite and FeAsS minerals, which, when exposed to air and water, can produce acid mine drainage. As such, W tailings may pose environmental and human health risks. Globally, the reprocessing of W tailings presents a potential resource that can be regarded as a paradigm of sustainability and circular economy. Flotation, enhanced gravity separation, and wet high-intensity magnetic separation have been reported to be the common approaches to reprocessing W tailings. However, W processing presents particular difficulties owing to complex material properties, such as fine particle size, surface weathering, similarity in surface properties exhibited by gangue materials (fluorite, apatite, calcite), low concentrations of the elements of interest, and poor mineral liberation.

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Characterization and Beneficiation Options for Tungsten Recovery from Yxsjöberg Historical Ore Tailings

Cited by 20 publications

References 18 publications

Nanobubble-Assisted Flotation of Apatite Tailings: Insights on Beneficiation Options

Nanobubble-Assisted Flotation of Apatite Tailings: Insights on Beneficiation Options

A Review of Tungsten Resources and Potential Extraction from Mine Waste

Tungsten tailings issues and reprocessing solutions

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