Electric Disintegration of Spodumene Pegmatites into Mineral Fractions for Lithium Extraction

Electric disintegration of spodumene pegmatites is investigated. It is found that treatment with electric pulses ensures partial dissociation of monomineral spodumene, and the best extraction of spodumene crystals, either with or without concretions, takes place when initial rock is ground to a size of 1 to 4 mm. The crystals of spodumene remain unbroken, as in mechanical treatment, and represent whole pieces. The gravity separation later on allows production of spodumene concentrate for the subsequent lithium extraction.