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Ames Laboratory scientists have developed a method for extracting lithium from hard-rock mineral sources that eliminates the need for high temperature roasting of the ore and without the use of water or other solvents.

 

Lithium-bearing hard-rock minerals, such as α-spodumene, are reactively ball milled to convert the lithium content into a form that has a low vapor pressure. The milled ore is then formed into a pellet and heated under vacuum, allowing the lithium to sublimate from the ore and be extracted without the use of solvents. 

This technology eliminates the need for high temperature roasting of α-spodumene ore, commonly used to convert it to a form more readily available for chemical extraction, allowing it have drastically lower energy requirements. The ability to extract the lithium without the use of solvents reduces the need for harsh chemicals seen in traditional lithium extraction from hard-rock sources.

This technology is related to ISURF 5593: A method of mechanochemically-assisted extraction of lithium from α-spodumene and other hard-rock minerals

• Eliminates need to roast ore prior to processing

• Reduced or eliminated need for harsh chemicals

• No solvent required

Lithium extraction from hard-rock minerals

Patent(s) applied for