Processing a spodumene ore to obtain lithium concentrates for addition to glass and ceramic bodies

This work describes a study conducted on the processing of a spodumene ore occurring as aplite —pegmatitic lodes in granites located in Northern Portugal, in order to obtain lithium concentrates for addition to glass and ceramic bodies. s spodumene, the ore contained mainly K feldspar, quartz and mica, mainly muscovite. Its beneficiation was carried out by flotation and heavy media separation (HMS). otation testwork was carried out with 300/75μm deslimed feeds assaying from 1.9 to 3%Li20. Rougher concentrates assaying 6.1 %Li20 and recleaner concentrates assaying 7.75%Li20 were obtained at stage recoveries of respectively 67% and 31%. S tests were done with bromoform, on classified feed samples containing (2.3–2.7) %Li20. Sink products assaying c.a. 5%Li20, which comply with the specifications for the glass grade spodumene, were obtained. The lithium distributions in these products, varied from 39 to 61%. he treatment of this ore, by flotation and HMS, it was possible to obtain concentrates with Lithia grades capable of being used by the glass and ceramics industries.