This geometallurgical variability study was conducted for Keliber Oy definitive feasibility study. It includes the Syväjärvi, Länttä and Rapasaari lithium ore deposits located in Central Ostrobothnia – Finland. These deposits present different characteristics in terms of spodumene grade, grain size, alteration, and weathering.
A geometallurgical approach was used to characterize the ore and learn about the variability within and between the deposits in terms of mineralogy and processing response. In the project design chosen, grinding and flotation tests were performed. In addition, chemical composition of spodumene, mineralogical and liberation studies were carried out by MLA and EDS analysis.
Spodumene is the main Li mineral in the deposits and its characteristics and elemental composition differ between and within these deposits, affecting mineral processing behavior. Spodumene impurities content as FeO and MnO are the highest in Länttä and lowest in Rapasaari. With respect to the harmful elements, Mg is carried by amphiboles and micas and P by apatite and sicklerite.
Grinding is mainly influenced by the spodumene grade of the ore. The total grinding time to reach the P80 target was similar for the average ores, around 30 minutes of two stage grinding. Pre-flotation removed more than 50% of the apatite with on average 4.6% losses of spodumene. A cleaning stage for the pre-flotation product is recommended to recover some of the spodumene losses.
In spodumene flotation with rougher and seven cleaning stages, Syväjärvi average ore showed high recoveries (about 90%) to final concentrate, whereas Länttä and Rapasaari presented clearly lower recoveries, (about 70%). In addition, Länttä presented the lowest spodumene grade in the final concentrate (about 70%) and Rapasaari the highest (about 75%). The flotation process, in general, turned out to be efficient in terms of concentrate grade, achieving, in most of the cases, the targeted Li2O grade of 4.5%. Although, the geometallurgical test is based on flowsheet developed for Syväjärvi and it is quite expected that Länttä and Rapasaari samples show poorer performance. Therefore, flotation tests and process optimization should be done to improve the spodumene recovery of Länttä and Rapasaari deposits. Considering Syväjärvi samples, spodumene head grade and grain size had positive effects in flotation. In contrast, spodumene alteration had a negative effect. Länttä shows lower spodumene liberation with given grind which leads to lower recovery and grade in flotation. A combination of lower feed grade, locking association, P80 and secondary Li minerals may explain Rapasaari samples performance. The weathered Rapasaari sample showed a positive effect on spodumene recovery which is possibly due to the liberation of spodumene grains from feldspars and quartz. Controlled waste dilution on ore samples promoted lower spodumene recovery and lower final concentrate grades, proportional to the dilution ratio. The results indicate that flowsheet and processing conditions as P80 and collector dosage need to be optimized by the deposit and by the ore type. Nevertheless, the present study is a diagnostic test and the results cannot be directly correlated to full-scale process.