Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Applications of advanced analytical and mass spectrometry techniques to the characterisation of micaceous lithium-bearing ores

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Aylmore, Mark
    Merigot, K.
    Quadir, Z.
    Rickard, W.
    Evans, N.
    McDonald, B.
    Catovic, E.
    Spitalny, P.
    Date
    2017
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Aylmore, M. and Merigot, K. and Quadir, Z. and Rickard, W. and Evans, N. and McDonald, B. and Catovic, E. et al. 2017. Applications of advanced analytical and mass spectrometry techniques to the characterisation of micaceous lithium-bearing ores. Minerals Engineering.
    Source Title
    Minerals Engineering
    DOI
    10.1016/j.mineng.2017.08.004
    School
    John de Laeter Centre
    Funding and Sponsorship
    http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LE140100150
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56218
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    With the impetus for less reliance on fossil fuels and an increasing demand for environmentally friendly energy materials, lithium is emerging as an important material of the future. The ability to extract lithium from ores economically is essential. However, a comprehensive understanding of the deportment of lithium and associated minerals in some ore bodies is limited. A combination of analytical microscopy and mass spectrometry techniques has been used to allow detection and characterisation of different lithium minerals in three micaceous Li-bearing ores. To quantify the different Li-bearing ore minerals, the chemistry and structural characteristics of a suite of lithium mineral specimens were first examined. The micas can be classified and grouped based on their compositions (Al/Si ratio; F, Na content) and used to distinguish different micas with different lithium grades. Micas exist as different polymorphs that are generally related to composition and also geological environment. The mineralogy, mineral associations and liberation characteristics of both ore-bearing and gangue minerals were characterised using automated mineralogy techniques and the Li content and elemental distribution within minerals defined using instrumentation with secondary mass spectrometry capabilities. The majority of lithium in the ore samples (1.2–1.5% Li) examined is associated with lepidolite or zinnwaldite particle compositions which are made up of Li muscovite, trilithionite and polylithionite grains. The morphology of the Li-bearing micas varies in different deposits. The gangue materials are predominately quartz and albite and make up ≤20 w% of the sample. Only minor amounts (∼1%) of other Li-bearing minerals (e.g. spodumene, elbaite, beryl) were observed in these samples. The Ta grade associated with minerals rynersonite and columbite-tantalite in some samples may be economic. The majority of the Li mica particles were liberated from the major gangue minerals under the conditions used to treat and screen samples to pass a 4 mm sieve. Further grinding will be required to breakup and expose fine grains of Li muscovite, polylithionite, and trilithionite, for further treatment to extract Li. The processes used to breakdown the micas to extract Li will also require stabilising and removal of F, Fe, Al, Mn and monovalent ions K and Na from process streams. The high concentration of Rb (0.9–3.6 wt%) and Cs (0.1–0.8 wt%) make mica a favourable resource for these elements and they can ultimately be recovered along with Li.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Assessment of a spodumene ore by advanced analytical and mass spectrometry techniques to determine its amenability to processing for the extraction of lithium
      Aylmore, Mark; Merigot, K.; Rickard, William; Evans, Noreen; McDonald, B.; Catovic, E.; Spitalny, P. (2018)
      A combination of analytical microscopy and mass spectrometry techniques have been used to detect and characterise different lithium minerals in a LCT-Complex spodumene-type pegmatite from Pilgangoora located in the Pilbara ...
    • Assessment of Li ore to determine its amenability to processing for the extraction of lithium
      Aylmore, Mark ; Merigot, W.; Rickard, William ; Spitalny, P. (2018)
      With the impetus for less reliance on fossil fuels and cleaner environments, the ability to be able to extract lithium used in rechargeable batteries for portable electronic devices from ores economically, is essential. ...
    • The mineralogy and processing potential of the Commonwealth project in the Molong Volcanic Belt, central eastern New South Wales, Australia
      Aylmore, Mark ; Eksteen, Jacques ; Jones, M.G.; Wells, M. (2019)
      The Commonwealth prospect area comprises the base metal-gold Commonwealth Mine, Commonwealth South gold deposit and the Silica Hill deposit located 100 km north of Orange in New South Wales, Australia. Impact Minerals ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.