Production of Lithium -A Literature Review. Part 2. Extraction from Spodumene

Spodumene is the main source of lithium among the lithium-containing minerals. A number of studies have been done on the extraction of lithium from naturally occurring alpha-spodumene as well as pre-treated beta-spodumene and the effect of key factors that influence extraction and optimum processing conditions have been discussed. Some of these methods have remained at a laboratory scale because they were not economically and operationally feasible, while some have been developed further. The increasing demand for lithium justifies efforts for the development of new methods as well as improving the existing commercial extraction processes. A comprehensive and detailed study of the available literature on lithium extraction studies is a useful starting point for this research. The present article is a review of the extraction methods of lithium from spodumene concentrate, after beneficiation, which have been studied to date.