Characterization of a mineral of the District of Zimapan, Mina Concordia, Hidalgo, for the viability of the recovery of tungsten

A sulfide-type mineral of the district of Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico, was chemically and mineralogically analyzed with the aim of detecting minor species with added value for their subsequent beneficiation. Apart from the usual species of the site, the X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) detected the presence of tungsten sulfate (WS2) and the mineral species typical of a base-metal sulfide site, as well as impurities such as: orthoclase, quartz, magnesium-silicon oxide, magnesioferrite, monticellite, andradite, magnetite and calcite, the latter being the mineral matrix. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) mapping confirmed the presence of the typical elements of the mineral: W, Si, O, Mg, Ca, C, Al, K, Fe, S, Zn and Cu. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP) analysis indicates an average concentration of 380 g W ton-1, as well as 1.81%25 Zn, 3.41%25 S, 0.15%25 Cu, 2.36%25 Fe, 0.78%25 Pb, 0.04%25 Mn, Sb 0.05%25 and 0.01%25 Ag. This mineral is a potential source for the extraction of tungsten. © 2016 by The Minerals, Metals %26 Materials Society.

Characterization; Mineral; Silver; Tungsten Characterization; Copper compounds; Inductively coupled plasma; Lead; Magnesium; Manganese; Scanning electron microscopy; Silicon oxides; Silver; Sulfur compounds; Tungsten; X ray diffraction analysis; Zinc; Average concentration; Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy; Magnesioferrite; Magnesium Silicon; Mineral matrixes; Mineral species; Potential sources; X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD); Minerals

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