TY - JOUR
T1 - A review on methods for liberating lithium from pegmatities
AU - Karrech, A.
AU - Azadi, M. R.
AU - Elchalakani, M.
AU - Shahin, M. A.
AU - Seibi, A. C.
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - The increasing demand for smart devices and clean energy vehicles that use lithium-ion batteries has sparked a considerable interest in lithium, which is becoming a strategic element. Lithium deposits can be found in saline lacustrine environments or pegmatite hard-rocks that are located mainly in America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, USA, and Canada), Australia (Western Australia), and China. In this paper, we summarise the main approaches of lithium extraction from pegmatites. Well established processes such as calcination, roasting, chlorination, carbonate pressure leaching, caustic/acidic digestion and others are examined and discussed to reflect their significance to the modern lithium value chain. In addition, emerging processes that involve direct mechano-chemical activation, bioleaching, acidic or caustic leaching are evaluated and compared to proven approaches in terms of economical and environmental viability. This review indicates that while established processes are still appealing to the industry despite their excessive energy requirement, new processes may contribute significantly to modernising lithium extraction in the future.
AB - The increasing demand for smart devices and clean energy vehicles that use lithium-ion batteries has sparked a considerable interest in lithium, which is becoming a strategic element. Lithium deposits can be found in saline lacustrine environments or pegmatite hard-rocks that are located mainly in America (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, USA, and Canada), Australia (Western Australia), and China. In this paper, we summarise the main approaches of lithium extraction from pegmatites. Well established processes such as calcination, roasting, chlorination, carbonate pressure leaching, caustic/acidic digestion and others are examined and discussed to reflect their significance to the modern lithium value chain. In addition, emerging processes that involve direct mechano-chemical activation, bioleaching, acidic or caustic leaching are evaluated and compared to proven approaches in terms of economical and environmental viability. This review indicates that while established processes are still appealing to the industry despite their excessive energy requirement, new processes may contribute significantly to modernising lithium extraction in the future.
KW - Bioleaching
KW - Calcination
KW - Leaching
KW - Lithium
KW - Roasting
KW - Spodumene
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073618741&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.mineng.2019.106085
DO - 10.1016/j.mineng.2019.106085
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85073618741
VL - 145
JO - Minerals Engineering
JF - Minerals Engineering
SN - 0892-6875
M1 - 106085
ER -