Tungsten and Gold Recovery from Alaskan Scheelite-Bearing Ores

摘要

Investigations were conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to develop flowsheets for the recovery of tungsten and gold from four Alaskan scheelite-bearing ores. Basic gravity concentration and cyanide leach tests were performed on all samples. About 46% of the tungsten and 30% of the gold from one sample were recovered in a gravity concentrate containing 24% WO2 (tungstic oxide) and 119 troy ounces per short ton (tr oz/st) Au. Froth flotation of the gravity concentrate resulted in separate tungsten and gold products with grades of 38% WO3 and 2,720 tr oz/st Au and recoveries of 60% and 97%, respectively. Additional gold was recovered from the gravity and flotation tailings by cyanidation. Overall recoveries of tungsten and gold from the sample were 28% and 94%, respectively. Data were developed from the Bond mill work index, gold and tungsten flotation, conventional and high-rate thickening, cyanide leaching, and CIP adsorption tests.