Mining & Processing

How Lithium Is Mined and Processed

Lithium (Li) is a battery metal with global annual production of approximately 180,000 tonnes LCE, primarily from Australia and Chile. Typical ore grades range from 1-2% Li2O (hard rock); 200-1500 ppm (brine).

Mining Methods

Lithium is extracted through the following methods, selected based on deposit type and geology:

• Open-pit hard rock mining (spodumene)
• Brine evaporation
• Direct lithium extraction (DLE)
• Clay leaching (emerging)

Ore Types and Mineralogy

The principal ore types and mineral sources for Lithium include:

• Spodumene - LiAlSi2O6
• Brine - Li-rich salar brines
• Lepidolite
• Hectorite/Jadarite clays

Processing and Beneficiation

Following extraction, Lithium ore undergoes the following processing stages:

1. Acid roasting and water leaching (spodumene)
2. Solar evaporation and precipitation (brine)
3. Direct lithium extraction (various DLE technologies)
4. Conversion to lithium carbonate or hydroxide

Major Mines and Production Centers

The following are key Lithium mining and processing operations worldwide:

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Mining and processing of Lithium must comply with environmental regulations governing water use, tailings management, emissions, and land rehabilitation. Increasingly stringent environmental standards are raising production costs but also driving innovation in cleaner extraction technologies. The social license to operate and community engagement have become critical factors in project development, particularly in Australia where 47% of global production is concentrated.