Kazakhstani scientists have made a breakthrough in the processing of lithium ores

A new technology will enable more efficient lithium extraction from low-grade ores.

Kazakhstani scientists have developed an innovative technology that significantly increases the efficiency of processing low-grade lithium-containing ores. The new solution produces concentrate with a lithium oxide content more than twice that of traditional technologies, while reducing the environmental impact of production and expanding the country's raw material base for the development of high-tech industries, inbusiness.kz reports, citing the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The development was presented by a group of scientists from the National Center on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

"The new technology is based on a carbothermic smelting process, which enables the comprehensive processing of low-grade lithium-containing aluminosilicate ores. A distinctive feature of the method is the almost complete separation of the target metal – lithium – from the aluminosilicate component of the ore," the study's authors explained.

In addition to lithium concentrate, the technology enables the production of FS45 ferroalloy, which is widely used in the metallurgical industry.

As the scientists explained, thanks to specially selected process parameters, lithium is concentrated in the slag in a chemically active form. This significantly simplifies subsequent processing of the concentrate and the production of various lithium salts.

According to project manager and PhD candidate Feruza Berdikulova, the new development enables significantly higher lithium concentrations compared to existing technologies.

***"By processing lithium-poor ores, we obtain a concentrate with a lithium oxide content of 12-14%. This product is more than twice as rich in rare metal oxide as its traditional counterpart. With existing technologies, it is not possible to increase the lithium oxide concentration above 5-6% at this stage," noted Feruza Berdikulova.

The authors of the development also note a number of additional advantages of the new technology.

"In particular, it allows for a significant reduction in the use of aggressive sulfuric acid solutions, a reduction in the negative impact on the environment, and a reduction in production costs," the researchers explained.

Furthermore, the implementation of this technology will allow for more efficient use of low-lithium-content deposits, which were previously considered less promising for industrial processing.

Lithium is today one of the most in-demand critical metals. It is widely used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, mobile electronics, and other high-tech products. Amid rapidly growing global demand, the development of indigenous technologies for processing lithium-containing raw materials is acquiring strategic importance. This new development by Kazakh scientists has the potential to expand the domestic resource base for critical metals, improve the efficiency of their processing, and strengthen the country's position in the promising market for materials for modern energy and high technology.

Source: inbusiness.kz