Recovery of lithium from solid waste clays of Emet colemanite beneficiation plant by roasting and acid leaching method

Abstract

In this study, solid waste clays from the Emet Concentrator Plant were used. With the data obtained from the characterization tests, it was decided to work with the sample fraction with a Li grade in the range of 1942-2035 ppm, which is below 0.5 mm grain size. Clay samples and salt mixtures are blended at different rates. In the first stage, the leaching effect of salt type and ratio was investigated, and in the second stage, the roasting time and temperature were investigated. The effectiveness of the parameters used in the roasting study was evaluated by lithium extraction studies. In the third phase of the study, leaching, the study was completed by considering the H2SO4 concentration and leaching time. With the processes carried out, first of all, the mixture obtained by blending the sample/salt mixture ratio of 1/1 and between the salts in the ratios of NaCl (0.6)-CaCl2 (0.4); Result of roasting at 900 degree celsius for 1 hour, a roasting efficiency of 77.26% Li was obtained. Then, by leaching the roasted material in the presence of 0.4M H2SO4 for 1 hour, the leaching efficiency was determined to be 89.61% Li.