Lithium has become one of the major target elements for the hi-tech sustainable lifestyles expected by the growing global population. It is a key component in lithium-ion batteries, which are essential for laptops, smartphones, and the ever-increasing desire for electric vehicles. Traditionally, lithium has been obtained from brines, however, the expected increase in demand will require new deposits to be found and exploited - namely hard rock deposits. The main mineral containing lithium in pegmatite hard rock deposits is spodumene. There is relatively little recent work that has been published on the flotation of spodumene, which is an issue at a time where lithium supply security has become a top priority for technology companies. To develop an improved fundamental understanding of spodumene flotation, its zeta potential and microflotation behaviour in the presence and absence of different flotation reagents were studied. Three collectors (sodium oleate, K-octyl hydroxamate, dodecylamine) and a depressant (Norlig-H) are examined. The results obtained for spodumene are compared to common gangue minerals (quartz, feldspar and muscovite).
展开▼
