Core Process Flow for Tungsten Ore Beneficiation

As a rare metal of strategic importance, tungsten requires a multi-stage, refined beneficiation process to ensure its efficient extraction and purification from the ore. The entire process is primarily divided into three core stages: pre-beneficiation preparation, beneficiation operations, and dewatering treatment. These stages are closely interlinked and can be flexibly adjusted according to the properties of the ore.

The pre-concentration stage focuses on the crushing and grinding of the ore, laying the foundation for subsequent separation. The crushing and screening process employs a closed-circuit system: large ore blocks are initially crushed by a jaw crusher, then graded via a vibrating screen; the oversize material is returned for re-crushing, whilst the undersize material proceeds to a cone crusher or impact crusher for secondary crushing until the appropriate particle size is achieved. The grinding and classification stage takes into account the brittle and easily crushed nature of tungsten ore, typically employing a single-stage or staged grinding process. The crushed material is fed into ball mills or rod mills for grinding, then classified via hydrocyclones or classifiers; fine-grained material meeting specifications proceeds to the beneficiation stage, whilst non-compliant material is returned for regrinding.

Beneficiation is the key to purifying tungsten ore, requiring the selection of gravity separation, flotation or magnetic separation processes based on the ore’s characteristics. Gravity separation relies on density differences for separation. Common methods include roughing using jigs, concentrating using shaking tables, and sorting using spiral chutes, each suited to different particle sizes of tungsten ore; flotation is used for fine-grained tungsten ore and white tungsten ore. By adjusting the slurry and adding reagents, methods such as direct flotation and preferential flotation are employed to achieve separation based on differences in mineral surface properties; Magnetic separation is used to remove magnetic impurities from the ore. It takes various forms, including dry, wet and high-gradient magnetic separation, and can enhance the purity of the tungsten concentrate.

The dewatering stage is divided into concentrate dewatering and tailings dewatering. The concentrate must undergo concentration, filtration and drying to produce a qualified tungsten concentrate; tailings dewatering is carried out using equipment such as thickeners, dewatering screens and filter presses to meet environmental discharge requirements.

The entire tungsten ore beneficiation process must be optimised through beneficiation tests in accordance with the properties of the ore to ensure resource recovery efficiency and product quality, thereby providing high-quality tungsten raw materials for industrial applications