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Lithium Beneficiation: Lithium Carbonate Production from Spodumene

1.0 Introduction
Zimbabwe has largest Lithium deposits in Africa and 5th largest globally. Zimbabwe has been exporting Lithium
Ores since 70s and recently the government introduced a Statutory Instrument making it mandatory to export
Lithium as Concentrate outlawing exporting raw Lithium. The SI was a good initiative but concentrates are at the
low end of value addition. The Lithium grade which we do possess is mainly Spodumene which has higher Lithium
content than Brines from South America which are now accounting for 60% of world lithium. There is need to
encourage the production of Lithium Carbonate and Lithium Hydroxide which are key components in Lithium
Battery manufacturing.
Lithium is a metal commonly used in batteries like the rechargeable ones found in laptops, cellphones, and electric
cars as well as in ceramics and glass. It is the lightest metal on Earth and is soft enough to be cut with a knife when
in its elemental form.
Lithium carbonate is a stable white powder that is a key intermediary in the lithium market because it can be
converted into specific industrial salts and chemicals—or processed into pure lithium metal. The value addition of
Lithium from ores to Lithium Carbonate will increase the value as currently a ton of Lithium Carbonate is going for
US$84 000 on the International market. There is need to conduct research if it will be sustainable to set up such
plants viz-a -v reserves.

2.0 Lithium Carbonate Production Process

Lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are the two lithium compounds employed for battery cathode production,
with carbonate currently making up the bulk of usage.
The spodumene produced by hard rock mining requires further processing to produce carbonate – a particularly
energy intensive, and therefore costly, process.
Processing from Minerals
Of the five minerals, spodumene is the most commonly used for lithium production. After it is mined, spodumene is
heated to 2012 degrees Fahrenheit and then cooled to 149 degrees. It's then crushed and roasted again, this time
with concentrated sulfuric acid. Ultimately, sodium carbonate, or soda ash, is added, and the resulting lithium
carbonate is crystallized, heated, filtered, and dried.
In the complex production required to transform spodumene concentrate into lithium compounds such as lithium
carbonate or lithium hydroxide, calcination plays a key role in not one, but two parts of the process, making it an
essential technique in efforts to exploit this increasingly important lithium ore.
While the beneficiation of lithium from brines has long been the primary focus of commercial efforts, spodumene –
a pegmatite ore – is becoming more desirable as a result of its high lithium content and the exploding demand for
lithium-ion batteries.
Calcination, often referred to as roasting in this setting, is one of the more common processing techniques used
throughout the extraction of lithium from spodumene. Calcination is an essential tool in the conversion of
spodumene concentrates to lithium compounds, with two key roles in the process. Through calcination, both
decrepitation and acid roasting can be achieved in the effort to produce lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for
use in lithium-ion batteries or other applications.

Directors: S. Zvina, F.G.Chisadza

Directors: S. Zvina, F.G.Chisadza
3.0 Benefits
The production of Lithium Carbonate which is a key component in Li-ion battery manufacturing will enable
Zimbabwe to attract those interested in battery manufacturing as we would be having the key component being
assembled in Zimbabwe. The production of Lithium Carbonate will enable us to move into battery manufacturing
in line with the mantra "Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo".
The nation will be a beneficiary of the Lithium boom and moving from being a net exporter of raw material but to
be a key player in the EV sector.
The production of Lithium Carbonate and battery manufacturing locally will enable the nation to attract entities that
are involved in the manufacturing of electrical cars thus venturing into forward integration in the EV sector.
Employment creation along the value chain
Increased foreign currency generation.
Promotion of green energy as the Lithium Batteries are also used in homes and telecommunications to power base
stations.
The installation of off grid solar systems will be a reality as the batteries will be manufactured locally thus
acceleration of the attainment of Upper Mid Income Economy by 2030.
Production of Air-conditioners

Concept written by Saxon Zvina representing Skyworld Consultancy Services

Directors: S. Zvina, F.G.Chisadza