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Under the wave of global energy transition, lithium resources have become a strategic mineral to support the development of electric vehicles and energy storage industry.USGS 2023 data shows that the global proven lithium resources amount to 89 million tons (Li₂O equivalent), but the geographic distribution shows a significant concentration characteristics. This paper combines geological data and mineral processing engineering practice to analyze the development potential of the core resource countries and supporting technical solutions to provide decision-making support for mineral investors.
1. Bolivia (21 million tons)
Super-large brine deposits such as the Uyuni Salt Lake.
Development bottleneck: magnesium-lithium ratio is as high as 19:1, special adsorbent + membrane separation technology is needed.
Beneficiation program proposal: modular mobile evaporation system + centrifugal extraction equipment combination
2. Argentina (19 million tons)
Focus on the development of Hombre Muerto and other low Mg/Li ratio (1.7:1) salt lakes.
Technology adaptation: selective electrodialysis + solar cell concentration process
Project case: a salt lake project adopts multi-stage ion sieve adsorption, lithium recovery rate increased to 92%.
3. Chile (9.8 million tons)
Atacama Salt Lake accounts for 40% of the world's lithium production.
Mature process: solar evaporation carbonate precipitation method
Technology upgrade direction: AI-controlled evaporation rate optimization system
1. Australia (7.3 million tons)
Greenbush pegmatite deposit adopts the combined process of heavy media separation and flotation, and the grade of Li₂O concentrate reaches 7.5%.
2. Canada (270,000 tons)
James Bay project innovatively applies XRT intelligent sorting technology, with a pre-cast waste rate of 35%.
Engineering Response Strategy for Multiple Types of Ore Deposits
1. Qinghai-Tibet Salt Lake System
Development of Zabuye Salt Lake adopts “gradient solar cell membrane coupling” technology.
Key equipment: titanium ion sieve adsorption tower + high-pressure reverse osmosis device
2. West Sichuan pegmatite belt
Methylcal lithium pyroxene ore beneficiation process:
High-pressure roller mill (3mm) → heavy media pre-election (D50=2.85g/cm³) → flotation (NaOH slurry + new chelating collector)
Technical index: raw ore Li₂O 1.3% → concentrate 6.2%, recovery 81%.
3. Innovative breakthroughs in Jiangxi mica mine
Yichun tantalum-niobium mine by-product lithium mica lithium extraction program:
Stage grinding (P80=45μm)
Magnetic separation flotation combined iron removal
Low-temperature sulfate roasting (energy consumption reduced by 40%)
1. Technical practice in Nevada, U.S.A.
Thacker Pass clay type lithium ore test data:
Sulfuric acid leaching temperature optimized to 90 ℃, lithium extraction rate exceeded 85
Supporting equipment: vertical high-pressure reactor (acid corrosion-resistant titanium alloy lining)
2.Canadian hard rock mine development paradigm
Quebec adopts “3D laser sorting + microwave grinding” technology:
28% reduction of energy consumption in pretreatment stage
Reduced flotation chemicals consumption by 15%
Sustainable Development Technology Matrix
1. Environmental compliance solutions
Wastewater treatment: Multi-effect evaporator + MVR combination process to realize zero liquid discharge
Tailings utilization: lithium slag preparation technology for low-carbon cement raw materials
2. Intelligent Control System
Grinding process: online particle size analyzer + expert control system
Roasting Process: Infrared Thermal Imaging Temperature Field Monitoring
3. Energy optimization module
Waste heat power generation system can meet 30% of the power demand in the plant.
PV direct supply crushing and screening system program
Global lithium resource development is shifting from “reserve competition” to “technology competition”. Our EPCM+O service system integrates geological modeling, process simulation, equipment selection and other core technology modules to provide customized solutions for different deposit types. Whether it is the purification of salt lake with high Mg/Li ratio or the separation of low-grade pegmatite, we ensure the maximization of resource conversion efficiency with our 20 years of engineering experience.
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