Beneficiation of Low-Grade Lithium Ores from Eastern Kazakhstan by Dense Media Separation (DMS) and Froth Flotation

Lithium is one of the critical elements required for clean energy technology to achieve a carbon-neutral target. In this study, the beneficiation of a lowgrade spodumene ore (0.3-0.6% Li2O) from Eastern Kazakhstan is investigated by dense medium separation (DMS) and froth flotation to obtain lithium concentrate. The main gangue minerals in the spodumene ore are feldspar, quartz and mica. The highest lithium grade in concentrate from DMS of 1000/+ 850 mu m size fractions of the low-grade spodumene ore is achieved at approximately 5.7% from 0.6% (Li2O), with a recovery of about 90%. Furthermore, the spodumene ore is beneficiated by reverse flotation using NaOL and DAA as mixed collectors. The maximum lithium recovery of approximately 30% with the highest lithium grade of 1.0% was obtained from a low-grade spodumene ore under flotation condition of 1000 g/t NaOL/DAA, ratio of 1:5, pH 10. Conditioning the pulp with starch has little effect on the flotation recovery of lithium from low-grade spodumene ore improving lithium grade from 1.0 to 1.45%.