Optimization of an innovative approach involving mechanical activation and acid digestion for the extraction of lithium from lepidolite

The recovery of lithium from hard rock minerals has received increased attention given the high demand for this element. There- fore, this study optimized an innovative process, which does not require a high-temperature calcination step, for lithium extraction from le- pidolite. Mechanical activation and acid digestion were suggested as crucial process parameters, and experimental design and re- sponse-surface methodology were applied to model and optimize the proposed lithium extraction process. The promoting effect of amorphi- zation and the formation of lithium sulfate hydrate on lithium extraction yield were assessed. Several factor combinations led to extraction yields that exceeded 90%, indicating that the proposed process is an effective approach for lithium recovery.

Kinetic approach to the study of froth flotation applied to a lepidolite ore

The number of published studies related to the optimization of lithium extraction from low-grade ores has increased as the demand for lithium has grown. However, no study related to the kinetics of the concentration stage of lithium-containing minerals by froth flotation has yet been reported. To establish a factorial design of batch flotation experiments, we conducted a set of kinetic tests to determine the most selective alternative collector, define a range of pulp p H values, and estimate a near-optimum flotation time. Both collectors（Aeromine 3000 C and Armeen 12D） provided the required flotation selectivity, although this selectivity was lost in the case of pulp p H values outside the range between 2 and 4. Cumulative mineral recovery curves were used to adjust a classical kinetic model that was modified with a non-negative parameter representing a delay time. The computation of the near-optimum flotation time as the maximizer of a separation efficiency（SE） function must be performed with caution. We instead propose to define the near-optimum flotation time as the time interval required to achieve 95%–99% of the maximum value of the SE function.

Petrological and Geochemical Studies of Lepidolite (LCT Type) and Non-Lepidolite Pegmatite’s from Chakrasila, Dhubri District, Assam, North East India

Lepidolite pegmatite occurs as intrusive within biotite gneiss and amphibolite of Assam Meghalaya Gneissic Complex (AMGC) or Precambrian Gneissic Complex in the Dhubri district, Assam. AMGC is the north western extension of the Proterozoic rocks of Meghalaya Plateau or Shillong plateau. In the field it occurs as small to large veins and scattered boulders. Lepidolite pegmatite is later intruded by non lepidolite pegmatite. Pegmatites are medium to coarse grained with quartz and K-feldspar. It also contains lepidolite, which occurs in the form of flakes and clusters varying from pink to purple in colour. Petrography of lepidolite pegmatite reveals lepidolite as major constituents with quartz, K-feldspar and muscovite as minor constituents. XRD analysis reveals lepidolite (muscovite) is major mineral phase with kaliophilite in minor amount. Geochemically, they are calc-alkaline to high calc-alkaline and per-aluminous in nature. On the basis of Alumina Saturation Index (ASI), these pegmatites resemble Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) family and compositional affinity with S-type granites of orogenic environments. Trace element compositions (Rb, Sr, Ba) indicate crystal fractionations, variable degrees of fractionation, highly evolved nature of pegmatite’s and strongly differentiated granites protoliths as source. The different tectonic discrimination diagrams indicate S-type and I-type melt for pegmatite derivations. Therefore, both the studied pegmatites could be an evolved variety of granitic rocks that originated from the same magma. The REE is relatively low to moderate.

Enhanced roasting of lepidolite for high defluorination efficiency in a fluidized bed reactor

Defluorination roasting of lepidolite ore in a fluidized bed reactor has been proposed for improving the extraction efficiency of lithium.In this paper,a vacuum was introduced to the fluidized bed reactor,which significantly improved the defluorination efficiency of lepidolite particles.This improvement could be attributed to an increase in the H2O/HF ratio.The highest defluorination rate for the lepidolite particles was obtained in the fluidized bed reactor under vacuum.The rate in the vacuum reactor was 1.5-2 times that in a fixed bed reactor or conventional fluidized bed reactor.The defluorination efficiency of the lepidolite particles also improved and the consumption of steam was greatly reduced by addition of coal char.This enhancement was mainly attributed to changes in the structures of the reduced lepidolite particles.This defluorination roasting method for high lithium extraction with low water steam consumption is a promising method for lithium ore treatment.

A review of lithium extraction from natural resources

Lithium is considered to be the most important energy metal of the 21st century.Because of the development trend of global electrification,the consumption of lithium has increased significantly over the last decade,and it is foreseeable that its demand will continue to increase for a long time.Limited by the total amount of lithium on the market,lithium extraction from natural resources is still the first choice for the rapid development of emerging industries.This paper reviews the recent technological developments in the extraction of lithium from natural resources.Existing methods are summarized by the main resources,such as spodumene,lepidolite,and brine.The advantages and disadvantages of each method are compared.Finally,reasonable suggestions are proposed for the development of lithium extraction from natural resources based on the understanding of existing methods.This review provides a reference for the research,development,optimization,and industrial application of future processes.

Cesium-rubidium mineralization in Himalayan leucogranites

This paper presents a study of a newly discovered pollucite-lepidolite-albite granite(PLAG)in the Himalayan leucogranite belt,which marks the first occurrence of pollucite,a major cesium silicate mineral,in the Himalayan orogenic belt(China).The rock appears at the northern part of the Gyirong pluton,coexisting with the tourmaline-bearing two-mica granite(TMG).Primary rare-metal minerals include lepidolite(Li),spodumene(Li),pollucite(Cs),cassiterite(Sn),and microlite(Ta).Micas,mainly lithian muscovite to lepidolite,contain 4.07 wt.%Li_2O and 0.76 wt.%Rb_2O on average.The average Li_2O content of the spodumene is 7.95 wt.%.Pollucite not only has an average Cs_2O content of 34 wt.%,but also has an elevated Rb_2O content of about 0.16 wt.%.Notably,this granite attains industrial grades for rare metals,specifically with Li_2O,Rb_2O,and Cs_2O contents of 0.49–1.19 wt.%,0.12–0.24 wt.%,and 0.69–2.33 wt.%,respectively.Dating results of magmatic accessory cassiterite and monazite indicated that the PLAG was formed at 19–18 Ma,slightly later than the TMG(22–20 Ma)of the Gyirong pluton.Thus,these two types of granites may form within the same magmatic system considering their pulsating intrusive contact,formation ages,and whole-rock and mineral chemical compositions.Furthermore,the abundant presence of pollucite suggests that the PLAG experienced high degrees of magmatic fractionation.In comparison to the Pusila spodumene pegmatite in the Himalaya and the Yashan topaz-lepidolite granite in Jiangxi,South China,the Gyirong PLAG exhibits different whole-rock and mineral compositions,resulting from differences in source materials and fractionation processes.Notably,the difference in fluorine(F)content may determine the degree of rare-metal element enrichment.The discovery of Gyirong PLAG highlights multiple stages and types of rare-metal mineralization in the Himalayan leucogranite belt,which is controlled by the South Tibetan Detachment System.The Cs-bearing geyserite deposit exposed along the Yarlung-Zangbo River,together with Himalayan leucogranites,constitutes two systems of rare-metal elements migration and enrichment.These two systems reflect the interaction among Earth systems across time and space,emphasizing how the Himalayan orogeny controls mineralization.As a result,the Himalayan leucogranite belt has considerable prospecting potential for cesium and rubidium resources and may be a crucial area for future exploration and resource utilization.