Mines vary with 1-4% or so Li2O (1% would probably make most mines nearly non-feasible)
"A typical spodumene concentrate suitable for lithium carbonate production contains 6-7% Li2O (75% - 87% spodumene". So it's more about the purity of Spodumene at that point.
Mica content as low as possible probably, they might use other fillers more suitable for such a battery.
Further down-stream processing produces:
Industrial Grade: < 99.0% Lithium Carbonate
Technical Grade 99.0% LC
Battery Grade 99.5% LC
EV Grade 99.9% LC
EV Plus Grade 99.99% LC
Source: http://www.globalstrategicmetalsnl.com/_content/documents/405.pdf
(Sept: 2013)
http://www.sgs.com.au/~/media/Global/Documents/Flyers and Leaflets/SGS-MIN-WA109-Hard-Rock-Lithium-Processing-EN-11.pdf
At that time.. Battery Grade was USD $6,500/t, EV was $8,500/t, EV Plus $15,500/t
Those prices are sure to have risen nicely since Sept 2013.
Mines vary with 1-4% or so Li2O (1% would probably make most...
Add to My Watchlist
What is My Watchlist?