Recycling of Tungsten Mining

Recycling

Recycling is an important factor in the world’s tungsten supply. It is estimated that today some 30% is recycled, and the tungsten processing industry is able to treat almost every kind of tungsten-containing scrap and waste to recover tungsten and, if present, other valuable constituents.

Contaminated cemented carbide scrap, turnings, grindings and powder scrap are oxidized and chemically processed to APT in a way similar to that used for the processing of tungsten ores. If present, cobalt, tantalum and niobium are recovered in separate processing lines. Other tungsten containing scrap and residues might require a modified process.

Clean cemented carbide inserts and compacts are converted to powder by the zinc process (treatment with molten zinc which is dissolved in the cobalt phase and is then distilled off, leaving a spongy material which is easily crushed). This powder is added back to the manufacture of ready-to-press powder. By this process, not only tungsten carbide but also cobalt, tantalum carbide and other carbides are recycled.

Recycling of tungsten in high speed steel is high, and a typical melt contains 60 to 70% scrap, including internally generated scrap.

On the other hand, recycling in such applications as lamp filaments, welding electrodes and chemical uses is low.

Although tungsten seems to be relatively harmless to the environment, environmental concerns have led to an increasing recycling rate, especially when the material contains other metals in addition to the tungsten. Recycling is always more environmentally friendly and usually more economic than waste disposal.

 

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