CHARACTERIZATION OF SYNTHESIZED WOLFRAMITE MINERALS AND THEIR LEACH RESIDUES

The physical properties and beneficiation potential of wolframite (Fex Mn1-x)WO4 have been shown to depend heavily upon x or the Fe/Mn ratio. A series of wolframites with x varying between zero and one have been synthesized and lattice parameters determined. Alkali-leaching of fer berite (FeWO4) has been found to be topotactic, with selective removal of tungsten and production of a high Fe/W ratio on the surface. The r eplacement of iron with manganese in the wolframite structure seems to result in a less compact lattice and faster and less selective dissol ution.