The effect of polymeric dispersant on magnetic separation of tungsten ore slimes

Abstract

High intensity magnetic separation of tungsten ore slime samples from Rajasthan, India, assaying 5.30% and 2.87% WO3, was studied with the application of polymeric dispersant. The present study reveals that WO3 assayed more in the finer fraction of the slime. The grade of the concentrate was improved compared to when no dispersant was used. Enhanced magnetic separation using dispersant is by virtue of reducing hetero-coagulation amongst the particles. The recovery grade relationship shows a field intensity of 1 T, which was just sufficient to attract wolframite; this resulted in better grade of concentrate as compared to higher field intensity, however, at the cost of a decrease in recovery by 3%.