Wolframite is the (Fe,Mn)WO₄ tungsten mineral series between ferberite and hübnerite. Its high density and magnetic properties can create separation options different from scheelite.
- Formula / structure
- (Fe,Mn)WO₄
- Ore role
- Major tungsten ore-mineral series
- Preparation focus
- Use density and magnetic contrasts after liberation
What is Wolframite and how does it occur in ore?
Wolframite occurs in granite-related veins and greisens with quartz, cassiterite, topaz, fluorite and sulfides. Such assemblages can support combined tin-tungsten circuits, but that is not automatic.
Why does the Fe/Mn ratio in wolframite matter?
Composition toward ferberite or hübnerite can change physical and magnetic behaviour. The actual mineral composition should be considered in separation testing.
Which behaviour matters during ore preparation?
Grinding should release wolframite from quartz and associated heavy minerals. Excessive fines can make gravity recovery more difficult.
Magnetic separation can help, but locked particles or other magnetic minerals can carry gangue into the concentrate. Mass balance and product mineralogy should be checked together.
Which inputs should be verified?
- Fe/Mn composition
- Association with cassiterite and scheelite
- Liberation size
- Density/magnetic-property distribution
- Fine tungsten losses