Recovery of iron from cyanide tailings with reduction roasting-water leaching followed by magnetic separation

► Using reduction roasting-water leaching-magnetic separation method, the recovery of iron from cyanide tailings was optimized. ► The recovery of iron was highly depended on the water-leaching process after reduction roasting. ► The results suggest that the method can be effectively used for iron recovery, and the grade of magnetic concentrate and recovery rate can reach 59.11% and 75.12%, respectively.