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.
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.
A typical pegmatite deposit can contain quartz, sodium-feldspar, spodumene, lepidolite, petalite, lithiophilite, microcline, and variable amounts of muscovite (1-5%).
One can also find trace amounts of Ta-Nb phases, commonly columbite, tantalite, and other accessory phases such as spessartine, biotite, pollucite, amphibole and other minerals.
A typical assemblage includes sodium feldspar, microcline, spodumene and minor muscovite.
Liberation data are very important because they indicate the potential recovery of a mineral of interest e.g. spodumene and mica. However, recovery from only Mica via L-Max may not fully satisfy market demand due quality, tonnage etc.
The most importantly a process should be able to recovery Lithium from Spodumene. In this case Sileach process become important extraction process for current and future market.
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