EXTRACTION OF LITHIUM FROM LITHIUM BEARING MINERALS BY CAUSTIC LEACHING

摘要

In a method of extracting lithium from a lithium bearing mineral, the mineral is reacted with a basic material of sufficient strength to dissolve the mineral, in order to produce a product mixture containing lithium. The lithium is then recovered from the product mixture. A method of extracting lithium from a lithium bearing mineral may consist of a two-step process. An industrial scale method of extracting lithium from a lithium bearing mineral can be conducted at a temperature not greater than about 500° C. and without the production of sulfur. A lithium metal can be produced by the method.