LAPSE:2020.0036
Published Article
LAPSE:2020.0036
Characterization and Beneficiation Options for Tungsten Recovery from Yxsjöberg Historical Ore Tailings
Jane Mulenshi, Pourya Khavari, Saeed Chehreh Chelgani, Jan Rosenkranz
January 6, 2020
Repositories of historical tungsten mining tailings pose environmental risks, but are also potential resources for valuable metals. They still contain large tonnages of useful minerals and metals, reflecting the inefficient extraction methods and/or low metal prices at the time they were mined. The focus of this study is to evaluate the technical viability of reprocessing the tailings to recover some of the contained valuable minerals and metals, as well as reducing the negative environmental impact associated with the tailings. Geometallurgical studies were conducted on drill core samples taken from the Smaltjärnen tailings repository of the closed Yxsjöberg tungsten mine, Sweden. The collected samples were characterized physically, chemically, and mineralogically. Knelson concentrator dry low- and high-intensity magnetic separation methods were tested as potential beneficiation methods. The tailings are dominated by the −600 to +149 µm particles. The highest concentration of tungsten (W) was 0.22% WO3. Using a Knelson concentrator, scheelite (main W mineral) recovery was enhanced, with 75 wt.% tungsten recovered in the 34 wt.% heavy concentrate. Only 1.0 wt.% sulphur (S) reported to the non-magnetic fraction. Based on the findings, a methodology and a preliminary process flowsheet for reprocessing the tailings is proposed.
Keywords
beneficiation, characterization, geometallurgical approach, historical tailings, reprocessing, Scheelite, Tungsten
Subject
Suggested Citation
Mulenshi J, Khavari P, Chehreh Chelgani S, Rosenkranz J. Characterization and Beneficiation Options for Tungsten Recovery from Yxsjöberg Historical Ore Tailings. (2020). LAPSE:2020.0036
Author Affiliations
Mulenshi J: Division of Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå SE-971 87, Sweden [ORCID]
Khavari P: Division of Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå SE-971 87, Sweden
Chehreh Chelgani S: Division of Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå SE-971 87, Sweden
Rosenkranz J: Division of Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå SE-971 87, Sweden
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
7
Issue
12
Article Number
E895
Year
2019
Publication Date
2019-12-02
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: pr7120895, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2020.0036
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doi:10.3390/pr7120895
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Jan 6, 2020
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CC BY 4.0
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Jan 6, 2020
 
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Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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