Flotation process for a low-grade skarn-type scheelite at room temperature in Southern Jiangxi

A low-grade skarn-type scheelite in Southern Jiangxi belongs to the refractory ore for the complex composition and fine dissemination size. Flotation, including he ating flotation and room temperature flotation, is often applied for scheelite processing for its favorable flotability. Heating flotation has advantages of good ore adaptability, favorable flotation indexes, and stable characteristics. However, its cost is relative higher for heating requirement. Thus its appliction is restricted. Scheelite processing experiments have been performed based on determining the optimal sodium dosage, water glass dosage and modulus by applying scheelite flotation at room temperature. The concentrate indexes have been improved while maintaining recovery rate. When the ore grade is only 0.22 %, through a roughing, two scavengings and five finishings (including a blank selection) of flotation process, the concentrate grate of WO₃ is 69.84 % and the recovery rate is 70.76 % in closed circuit test .