Institute of Mining of Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (Khabarovsk, Russia):

Samatova L. A., Senior Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Shepeta E. D., Senior Researcher, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Skarn scheelite-sulfide deposits of Primorsky Krai are the main regional source of tungsten raw materials. The prospects of widening of this base due to involving of poor and out of balance ores and dumps in the processing are shown in the conditions of decreasing of raw materials quality. This article gives the materials, describing the advisability of including of X-ray radiometric separation preliminary concentration into the scheme of processing of these ores and dumps. Results of separation of Skrytoe deposit ores and mined rock of Primorskaya concentration plant dumps (using the separators, produced by the “SibRados” LLC (Krasnoyarsk, Russia)) are presented together with the data of Vital Metals Ltd. about the concentration of poor scheelite ores on XR-3000 separator. High concentration indices were revealed during the flotation studies on separation concentrates (concentrated ores with 0,6 – 1,2% of WO₃). Concentrates with 65-70% of WO₃ with extraction of 86-84% were released from the concentrated ores of mined rock, dumped at Primorskaya ore-dressing and processing enterprise. Flotation of the ungraded class (-5+0 mm) obtained the concentrate with 30,6% of WO₃ with extraction of 37,7%. Possibility of its preliminary concentration by gravitation was investigated. Output of concentrating table (35-40% from delivery), containing 0,8-0,9% of WO₃ with extraction of up to 80%, can also be included in the standard flotation scheme of Primorskaya concentration plant. Mixed technology is recommended for processing of mined rock of dumps. Scheelite extraction will make up 70,6% in the process.

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