Abstract:
The metallic minerals in an antimony polymetallic ore from Guangxi primarily consist of stibnite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, and scheelite. Gangue minerals include silicates such as quartz, muscovite, and potassium feldspar, as well as carbonates such as calcite and dolomite, indicating a complex mineral composition. The raw ore grades are 2.46 % Sb, 0.30 % WO
3, and 34.16 g/t Ag. To comprehensively recover valuable elements from this ore, a beneficiation process was developed, featuring priority decarburization, bulk flotation of antimony-sulfur with subsequent separation, and a joint flotation-gravity separation for tungsten. The process begins with priority decarburization to reduce the interference of carbonaceous minerals in antimony flotation. This is followed by the bulk flotation and separation of antimony and sulfur to produce silver-rich antimony concentrate and sulfur concentrate. Finally, flotation and table gravity separation are applied to recover tungsten concentrate. Closed-circuit tests yielded antimony concentrate with 44.62 % Sb grade, 82.98 % Sb recovery, and 582.2 g/t silver; and tungsten concentrate with 63.64 % WO
3 grade and 68.66 % WO
3 recovery. Effective recovery of antimony, tungsten, and silver from the ore was achieved, providing a reference for comprehensive recovery of similar ores.