Cost-effective processing and refining of lithium into lithium hydroxide from strategic European multi-mineral lithium hard-rock projects

Project Information

LITHOS

Grant agreement ID: 101138112

DOI

10.3030/101138112

EC signature date 23 November 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 30 June 2027

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 7 939 426,75

EU contribution

€ 7 142 899,00

Coordinated by

TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
Finland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - LITHOS (Cost-effective processing and refining of lithium into lithium hydroxide from strategic European multi-mineral lithium hard-rock projects)

Reporting period: 2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

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.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Collection, preparation and characterization of spodumene, lepidolite and petalite samples was completed. First pilot with spodumene ore from Savannah was performed, from ball milling to mica flotation, including also process control development. First petalite concentrates were produced in small scale. Mixing lithium minerals had an impact on heat treatment temperature requirements. First impurity management results indicate that the Metso process can accommodate variations in leached components. Quality of fit analysis for modelling showed good agreement with experimental solubilities. A full environmental (including LCA and health & safety) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) is currently in progress.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Beneficiation has been developed for lithium minerals, which are known to be challenging to be beneficiated. Conventionally, various lithium mineral concentrates have been processed separately. Our results show promise in the integration of various lithium mineral streams in processing and in the management of impurities.