(1 Day Training Course)
Summary:
The mining, processing and production of battery grade lithium has seen incredible growth and profitability over the last 5 years
Introduction:
Not all lithium ores are suitable and will result in a successful project. This course looks at the occurrence, mineralogy, end uses and specifications, beneficiation, thermal treatment, hydrometallurgical options, lithium recovery and recent project histories.
Australia has become the world’s largest producer of lithium globally, being driven by a number of projects. Talison’s expansion at Greenbushes and the commissioning of a number of projects has lead to Australia currently producing around 43% per cent of world output. Numerous downstream plants have been announced with the two stage $700 million Lithium Hydroxide production plant in Kwinina by Tianqi nearing completion, a $200 million lithium refinery in Kalgoorlie by Neometals, a $600 million Port Hedland refinery, a $ 1 billion refinery in Kemerton and an additional Kwinana Refinery by the Kidman-SQM JV. It comes as other players also ramp up production, including
Australian-owned Orocobre, which owns a brine operation in Argentina, the re-commissioning of Galaxy Resources’ Mt Cattlin operation and production starting at Neometals Mt Marion site in Western Australia. Both pilgangoora projects -Altura and Pilbara Minerals are commissioning and ramping up to design. Additiionally Towana’s Bald Hill, commenced operations in March 2018 and Mineral Resources’ Woodgina operation is orecast to come online in March 2019. Some analysts are warning this increased supply could be a problem for the dozens of new junior producers who have piled in to take advantage of strong lithium prices. In addition, the massive ramp up seen across the world could possibly lead to an oversupply for lithium; however many companies have announced expansions for processing concentrates and the production of batteries.
The lithium carbonate spot price has more than tripled in the past two years, from $6,000 a tonne to $20,000 a tonne for battery grade material. We could be on the cusp of a massive new industry. At current prices there are enormous profits to be had in the mining and production of lithium concentrates for chemicals or batteries.
Key Learning Outcomes:
There are many benefits of attending this course. Throughout the course, participants will improve their knowledge in the following areas:
- Lithium Uses, Supply and Demand
- Hardrock Processing
- Brine Processing
- Production of Lithium Carbonate and
- Lithium Hydroxide
Course Programme:
(Subject to change & customisation for your requirements)
- Introduction
- Lithium: Markets, Uses & Sources
- Mineralogy
- Crushing
- Milling & Classification
- Gravity & DMS
- Flotation
- Processing Hardrock Lithium Concentrates
- Brines and Hydrometallurgy
- Metallurgical Testwork
- Project Examples
Who Should Attend?
The 1 day course is designed to provide key knowledge of lithium processing to mining personnel, project managers, geologists, senior mine and processing plant operating staff, engineers and researchers. The course can also benefit training providers, suppliers to the resource industry, technologists, brokers and investors. It assumes no prior knowledge and participants will receive comprehensive notes.
For a brochure, further information on this course or to register please contact our training department on +61 8 9421 9000 or send an email to training@metsengineering.com
