Synthesis of scheelite nanoparticles by mechanically assisted solid-state reaction of wolframite and calcium carbonate

•Synthesis of nanostructured scheelite (CaWO4) from wolframite enriched ores.•Mechanochemical activation of wolframite and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) mixtures.•Quantitative conversion of wolframite and CaCO3 mixtures into CaWO4 at T ≤ 700 °C.•No need of CaCO3 excess to get complete conversion of wolframite into CaWO4.