Recent advances in the recovery of tungsten values in the fine and ultrafine size range

Recent advances in the design of fine gravity concentrators and high gradient magnetic separation devices have led to significant improvements in the recovery of tungsten values in fine and ultrafine size range. Amongst the more promising techniques of fine particles processing, encouraging results are reported on froth flotation, shear flocculation and spherical agglomeration of tungsten ore slimes. Development of highly selective reagents such as alkyl hydroxamates, phosphonic acid derivatives and alkylated nitrosonapthols is vital for enhancing separation efficiencies in the slimes size range. Froth flotation of Indian tungsten ore slimes (particularly at Degana) using appropriate reagent combinations appears promising and needs to be examined in greater detail.