A lab scale froth flotation study of tungsten bearing tailings of the Barruecopardo mine (Spain) within the EU Horizon 2020 OptimOre Project


A lab scale froth flotation study of tungsten bearing tailings of the Barruecopardo mine (Spain) within the EU Horizon 2020 OptimOre Project

Compañero, R. J.

This study was done under the framework of the “OptimOre” project which is part of EU Horizon 2020. Froth flotation is applied for obtaining a pre-concentrate from tailings material sourced from an old mine in the Barruecopardo district, located in the province of Salamanca in Spain. Representative samples from the as-received material were submitted to several characterization analyses: MLA, particle size measurements, contact angle measurements, and ICP-AES. Information from the preceding tests were used to design flotation experiments where five factors: collector type, frother type, depressant addition, pH level, and collector dosage were investigated.

Milling was performed on the feed material before flotation because the starting size was too coarse. The flotation behavior of the material was examined and different factor level combinations resulted in varying degrees of recovery and concentrate grades --- the highest attained averaging 35% and 0.36% W (Enrichment ratio = 14) respectively. Further improvements on these results were targeted and thus the grinding time was increased. The merits of this step in terms of mass collection, grade, and recovery are discussed. Exploratory ideas on the effect of the factor levels investigated were also presented.

Keywords: froth flotation; scheelite; depressant; Barruecopardo

  • Master thesis
    HIF/HZDR, 2016
    Mentor: Sterbik, N.

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Publ.-Id: 24789