Study of the efficiency of using pelletizing poor scheelite ore for leaching tungsten

Abstract

Heap leaching technology has many advantages, the most important of which are the minimum operating and capital costs. The research aims to intensify tungsten extraction by heap leaching from a pelletized sample of scheelite ore with solutions of hydrochloric and oxalic acids. The Kappes percolation test was used to control the quality of agglomeration operations and determine the requirements for ore agglomeration. Building dependencies were used to study leaching and recovery rates. A scheme of heap leaching of pelletized scheelite ore using a solution of hydrochloric and oxalic acids as a solvent of scheelite has been developed. Technology provides conditions that minimize the loss of oxalic acid with oxalate precipitation and the use of productive solutions in circulation. The behavior of granules in the percolation leaching method indicates the effectiveness of pre-pelletizing a sample of scheelite ore with the Alcotac®CB6 reagent. During the leaching process, the pelletized material has sufficient porosity and permeability while maintaining the integrity of the granules. It provides access to leaching solutions to the surface of valuable metals. During leaching, the operation of the initial ore with a solution of hydrochloric acid is provided. During this operation, rock minerals leach, which helps reduce oxalic acid consumption during subsequent tungsten leaching.