Understanding lithium demand, page-310

I thought I would explain this more simpler as well. Converters in producing lithium carbonate aim to recover 90% of the spodumene concentrate in the conversion process.

Now 6% grade spodumene grades 2.8% Li, i.e. I am talking here Li not Li20 to avoid doubt) whilst lithium carbonate grades 18.8% Li, so need 7.5 tonnes 6% grade sppodumene to produce 1 tonne lithium carbonate (i.e.2.8% *7.5*90% = 18.8% Li). If recovery is 85%, then need around 8 tonnes of spodumene to do the same for example.

So if have higher levels of iron in your 6% grade spodumene than what is acceptable then need more spodumene to produce one tonne of lithium carbonate, because the recovery rate will be less than 85% - 90% in the converters because of the 'clinkers effect' I talk about in one of my embedded posts which reduce Li recovery in the spodumene. And thereforethe converters will pay a lower price for your spodumene because of this lower recovery rate, than for spodumene where the recovery rate in the converters is higher.

Hope this makes sense to you all.

All IMO