XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3 2653
recoveries from almost 100 to between 55 and 90%Li2O
(Figure 3).
By looking at the isolines plot, it appears that maximiz-
ing both recovery and enrichment can be obtained for col-
lector dosage of about 150g/ton and desliming size above
60µm (Figure 3). However, the grade seems to be widely
impact by the amine dosage with better enrichements
obtained for low amine concentration.
Considering the whole flowsheet changes the shape of
the lithium recovery, without impacting the enrichement
ratio (Figure 4). The recovery also has an inverse trend
with maximum recoveries moved towards high amine
concentrations. Same observation can be done for the des-
liming size, with lower recoveries obtained for coarser des-
limed samples (Figure 4). Only samples treated with low
amine dosage (i.e., about 100 g/ton) follow the previous
trend with low recoveries obtained for fine grained samples
(Figure 4).
Finally, by looking at the isolines plot, two areas of
improvement can be identified. The red one, selected for
“direct” beneficiation of lepidolite. This area consist of con-
ditions were high grades are obtained for acceptable recov-
eries (Figure 4). A scavenging step could be considered for
samples with lower grades to try to improve the grade/
Figure 3. (a) Surface response of lithium recovery and (b) iso-recovery (blue line) and iso-enrichement ratio (green line) for the
flotation step. Plot built for a pH value of 2
Figure 4. (a) Surface response of lithium recovery and (b) iso-recovery (blue line) and iso-enrichement ratio (green line)
calculated for the whole flowsheet. Plot built for a pH value of 2
recoveries from almost 100 to between 55 and 90%Li2O
(Figure 3).
By looking at the isolines plot, it appears that maximiz-
ing both recovery and enrichment can be obtained for col-
lector dosage of about 150g/ton and desliming size above
60µm (Figure 3). However, the grade seems to be widely
impact by the amine dosage with better enrichements
obtained for low amine concentration.
Considering the whole flowsheet changes the shape of
the lithium recovery, without impacting the enrichement
ratio (Figure 4). The recovery also has an inverse trend
with maximum recoveries moved towards high amine
concentrations. Same observation can be done for the des-
liming size, with lower recoveries obtained for coarser des-
limed samples (Figure 4). Only samples treated with low
amine dosage (i.e., about 100 g/ton) follow the previous
trend with low recoveries obtained for fine grained samples
(Figure 4).
Finally, by looking at the isolines plot, two areas of
improvement can be identified. The red one, selected for
“direct” beneficiation of lepidolite. This area consist of con-
ditions were high grades are obtained for acceptable recov-
eries (Figure 4). A scavenging step could be considered for
samples with lower grades to try to improve the grade/
Figure 3. (a) Surface response of lithium recovery and (b) iso-recovery (blue line) and iso-enrichement ratio (green line) for the
flotation step. Plot built for a pH value of 2
Figure 4. (a) Surface response of lithium recovery and (b) iso-recovery (blue line) and iso-enrichement ratio (green line)
calculated for the whole flowsheet. Plot built for a pH value of 2