Evaluation of Efficiency of Using Mechanized Processing Techniques to Recover Tin and Tantalum in Gatsibo, Eastern Province, Rwanda

Abstract

Rwanda is known to be among the top producers of tin and tantalum, despite having low recovery and grades. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of using mechanized methods to increase the recovery rate and grades of tin and tantalum mined in Gatsibo, Eastern Province, Rwanda, since the general separation techniques used are artisanal. The minerals in those mines include cassiterite (SnO2) and colombite–tantalite ((Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb)2O5), with impurities such as Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, Cao, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, and P2O5. A combination of gravity separation techniques, including shaking tables and magnetic separation, were used as the mechanized processing techniques. The results were compared to the results obtained by artisanal processing techniques. The proposed mechanized techniques were found to increase the efficiency of tin and tantalum recovery from 60.75% to 81.85% and from 22.9% to 48.57%, respectively, and the grades of the tin and tantalum increased to 63.75% and 35.7%, respectively. Based on these results, the proposed mechanized processing techniques and the recycling of waste from artisanal processing techniques are highly recommended.

Biohydrometallurgy: Paving the Way for a Greener Future of Mineral Processing in Indonesia

“…This procedure is designed to enhance the surface area for ensuing the subsequent separation processes and to liberate the valuable minerals entrapped within the gangue materials. The ore subsequently undergoes concentration using techniques such as gravity separation, magnetic separation, flotation, and flocculation (Ankireddy et al, 2023;Diab et al, 2022;Kabatesi et al, 2022;Sanwani et al, 2015a;2015b;2015c;2015d;2015e;2016a;2016b;2021a;2021b;Teniola et al, 2022;Wahyuningsih et al, 2020;Wahyuningsih et al, 2018;Zheng et al, 2022). These methods serve to separate the valuable minerals from the gangue.…”

The Efficiency of Mechanized Mineral Processing Techniques to Recover Tin and Tantalum Ores. Case Study: Nyamatete Concession, Rwanda

“…Although those processing methods have been seen to be the most cost-effective, it is difficult to separate fine and ultrafine Cassiterite and coltan ores from gangue minerals. There are no studies that have been done to determine the number of lost ores in artisanal and smallscale mining tailings in terms of quantity and quality for commercial exploitation across the country [9]. Conducting this research has increased interest in tailings enhancing the reprocessing activity at the mine site resulting in optimization of mineral recovery.…”