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Tailings recovery represents a key direction for efficient utilization of mineral resources. However, the processing of rare metals such as cesium and lithium has long been recognized as a technical challenge in the mineral processing industry, due to complex mineral dissemination, similar properties of multiple concentrates, and high separation difficulty.
Xinhai Mining has recently completed a comprehensive recovery test on rare cesium‑lithium tailings from Canada. Over three months, the project achieved efficient separation and recovery of cesium, lithium, rubidium, and other elements, while simultaneously recovering quartz, feldspar, and other minerals. This achievement further confirms Xinhai’s strong technical capabilities in processing refractory and unconventional rare ores, adding strong evidence to our ability to treat more than 70 types of minerals.
This Canadian tailings project involves multi-element associated refractory ore with high technical challenges. The process requires simultaneous recovery of mica, lithium, cesium, quartz, feldspar, and other concentrates, many of which have highly similar physical and chemical properties. Conventional processes cannot achieve effective separation, placing strict demands on process accuracy and customization.
Cesium, as an unconventional rare metal, has limited industrial processing experience and reference materials, making it one of the core difficulties of this test. Relying on years of experience in refractory ore treatment, Xinhai’s Mineral Processing Research Institute established a dedicated test team to carry out full‑process technical research and develop implementable industrial solutions.
The raw tailings have extremely complex compositions, with a wide range of rare elements and close intergrowth of minerals, resulting in much higher processing difficulty than conventional ores. The raw ore grades are:
Cs₂O: 0.46%
Rb₂O: 0.50%
Li₂O: 1.63%
Cesium occurs mainly in pollucite; lithium minerals include lepidolite, spodumene, montebrasite, and others. Associated minerals include beryl, tantalite-columbite, and microlite. Gangue minerals are mainly quartz, albite, and potassium feldspar. The close intergrowth of valuable minerals and gangue, together with similar properties of target concentrates, raised high requirements for customized process design.
Adhering to the “One Ore, One Strategy” design philosophy, Xinhai’s technical team spent more than three months optimizing conditions and parameters through dozens of adjustments. A customized multi‑stage fractional flotation process was finally developed, enabling efficient multi‑mineral separation.
The process combines grinding + multi‑stage flotation + desliming:
Raw ore is ground to 60% passing -200 mesh to prepare for mineral liberation.
Lithium is recovered first through one roughing, two scavenging, and three cleaning stages.
Spodumene tailings are deslimed, followed by mica flotation (one roughing, one scavenging, one cleaning).
Feldspar pre-treatment is applied before cesium flotation (one roughing, two scavenging, one cleaning).
Each stage is precisely matched to the separation behavior of different minerals.
After continuous optimization and closed‑circuit testing, the cesium‑lithium tailings project achieved outstanding recovery performance, with grades and recovery rates reaching high‑quality industry levels, providing a solid scientific basis for industrial production.
Lithium concentrate: yield 23.75%, Li₂O grade 5.21%, Li₂O recovery 77.41%
Mica concentrate: yield 9.03%, Rb₂O grade 2.03%, Rb₂O recovery 36.82%
Cesium concentrate: yield 4.18%, Cs₂O grade 4.30%, Cs₂O recovery 39.12%
The project turned tailings into valuable resources and greatly improved comprehensive resource utilization.
The success of this Canadian project demonstrates Xinhai’s core strengths in process design, parameter optimization, and technical breakthroughs for multi‑element associated refractory rare ores.
With over 30 years of experience, Xinhai Mining’s Mineral Processing Research Institute focuses on R&D and innovation, covering more than 70 minerals, including lead‑zinc, copper, gold, as well as rare metals such as cesium, lithium, and tantalum. Backed by a professional team, advanced equipment, and the “One Ore, One Strategy” concept, we provide tailored, practical, and economical mineral processing solutions.
From common ores to refractory ores, from conventional minerals to rare minerals, Xinhai Mining continues to tackle industry challenges driven by technological innovation.
Moving forward, Xinhai will uphold innovation and customer‑centric principles, expand mineral processing capabilities, and leverage its full‑chain EPC advantages to provide global mining clients with one‑stop services: from mineral testing, process design, equipment manufacturing and installation to commissioning and operation. We help the mining industry achieve efficient resource utilization and high‑quality development. Contact us via WhatsApp: +8613811510145.
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