Lithium Processing Technology Complete Solutions From Spodumene

Hengyang Minerals Services has experience with complete flowsheet development to recover high grade lithium products from hard rock lithium minerals. Hengyang Industrial offers a multi-disciplinary team that is involved from the initial stages of the characterization of the lithium deposit to the production of a market sample of a high grade lithium product.

Hengyang Industrial provides the comprehensive range of test work capabilities required to extract lithium. These capabilities include:

• Comprehensive spodumene crushing and screening

• Extensive grind ability test suite

• Mineral separation (gravity, heavy liquid and heavy media)

• Flotation

• Pyrometallury (concentrate roasting and acid roasting)

• Hydrometallurgy

• Pilot plant testing

• Environmental testing.

Lithium forecasts indicate demand will more than triple over the next decade. With the newest technology, backed by years of experience in brine and spodumene extraction methods, we are a full solutions partner for major lithium processing operations.

The two primary production methods for lithium – brine evaporation and hard rock (e.g. spodumene) processing

– come with their own unique set of challenges. We have more than 20 years of experience in providing cutting- edge technologies that cover both approaches for lithium production. Our capabilities include:

•     Hard rock concentrators

•     Hard rock concentrate refinery facilities

•     Brine processing facilities

Lithium is found in very low concentration in igneous rocks. The largest concentrations of lithium-containing minerals are found in granitic pegmatites. The most important of these minerals are spodumene (Li2O, Al2O3. 4SiO2) and petalite (Li2O, Al2O3. 8SiO2). Spodumene has a theoretical Li2O content of 8.03%. Due to its high lithium content, spodumene is considered the most important lithium ore mineral. A typical run of mine ore can contain 1-2% Li2O, while a typical spodumene concentrate suitable for lithium carbonate production contains 6-7% Li2O (75% - 87% spodumene). Higher grade concentrates with 7.6% Li2O and low iron content are used in ceramics and more demanding industries.