Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LITHOS (Cost-effective processing and refining of lithium into lithium hydroxide from strategic European multi-mineral lithium hard-rock projects)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
The EC published the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) setting “benchmarks along the strategic raw materials value chain and for the diversification of EU supplies”. By targeting the domestic processing and refining of lithium, LITHOS directly contributes to the 1st and 2nd CRMA benchmarks (10% domestic extraction; 40% domestic processing). LITHOS processes and refines the ores from three projects in terms of domestic battery-grade LiOH·H2O production: two spodumene-bearing pegmatite cases (Keliber’s deposits in the Kaustinen region, Finland; Savannah’s Barroso Lithium Project, Portugal) and one Rare-Metal Granite (RMG) case (Imerys’ Beauvoir mine in France). LITHOS expands and tailors the existing Keliber & Metso flowsheet, which was developed for regular-grade spodumene ores, so that (i) the cut-off grade for spodumene ores is reduced, resulting in larger Li reserves, while
(ii) allowing the commercialisation of lower-grade pegmatite and RMG deposits.
LITHOS triggers innovations along the value chain – mineral processing, concentrate pre-treatment & hydrometallurgical refining – making it possible to deal with different levels and types of impurities in non-spodumene Li minerals (lepidolite & petalite). LITHOS gives specific attention to closed-loop water systems in the mineral processing (KPI: 90% less water consumption). The overall CO2 emissions of the LITHOS flowsheet will be 50% lower than today’s benchmark (production of spodumene concentrate in Australia & refining in China). This work is enriched by thermodynamic modelling and digital twins.
(ii) allowing the commercialisation of lower-grade pegmatite and RMG deposits.
LITHOS triggers innovations along the value chain – mineral processing, concentrate pre-treatment & hydrometallurgical refining – making it possible to deal with different levels and types of impurities in non-spodumene Li minerals (lepidolite & petalite). LITHOS gives specific attention to closed-loop water systems in the mineral processing (KPI: 90% less water consumption). The overall CO2 emissions of the LITHOS flowsheet will be 50% lower than today’s benchmark (production of spodumene concentrate in Australia & refining in China). This work is enriched by thermodynamic modelling and digital twins.
So far, collection, preparation and characterization of spodumene, lepidolite and petalite samples was completed. An inter-lab comparison related to chemical assays was performed to ensure the quality of results. The concentration and minerals processing development were planned. Small scale thermal treatment experiments to obtain more leachable Li-concentrates were done. Modelling work started, aiming to add new models and capabilities to the existing ones. Activities in surveying and mapping the disputes related to Li projects in the EU were initiated. LCA and TEA work has started.
The project has just started, and the main focus has been on material deliveries and characterisation. Results from the experimental work will follow in the second reporting period.