Calcination scheme NTUA
Within the beneficiation process, the research group at TUD developed an opto-magnetically induced sorting technology. Within the next months, their work will continue developing their code to optimise the colour identification of target metals, and simultaneously on various set-ups to improve the magnetic attraction and and to ensure the seamless integration of all components of their opto-magnetically induced sorter.
Within the same work package, researchers at NTUA have developed a new calcination technology with additives, tested on spodumene concentrates. Using different settings and parameters, such as the processing temperature, reaction time, pressure, the extraction yields for Li ranged between 71 % and 96 %. Depending on the additive type, adjusting the calcination parameters accordingly can significantly reduce impurities, such as aluminum (Al), present in spodumene concentrate. Simultaneously, NTUA partners have been optimising a new technology for Li extraction with calcination from lithic mica and the results will be available in the upcoming communications.
Calcination scheme NTUA
Working on spodumene concentrates, the research group at TEC has established a novel pre-treatment process that allows a relevant improvement in the next leaching process of lithium for its valorisation. As a result of this method, which includes ball milling combined with additive, the transformation of the mineralogical structure of the spodumene takes place at a significantly reduced temperature, ranging from 110ºC to 900ºC. Based on these findings, TEC has applied a similar approach for the lithium phosphate and the lithic mica materials, reporting good results.
© visual:Adobe Stock Photos
During the M24 consortium meeting held in Karlsruhe (GER), the project team presented the latest progress achieved in the work package dedicated to the supply and characterisation of the feedstock, with a primary focus on the geochemical analysis of geothermal brines and rocks.
Between M18 and M24, researchers collected and sent for analyses geothermal brine from the reservoir at Soultz-sous-Forêts in France. This latest analysis not only revealed a Li concentration above 170 mg/L, which confirms the stability and the quality of this resource for a potential future lithium extraction in the Upper Rhine Graben geothermal brine.
In addition to brine analysis, the researchers conducted thorough geochemical analyses on core samples from three deep wells in Soultz-sous-Forêts. These wells intersect the Muschelkalk limestone, Buntsandstein sandstone and Visean granite formations. A total of 57 core samples, sourced from depths ranging between 841 to 5060 m were selected for analysis. The focus was on 36 granite samples, where the lithium concentrations varied significantly. According to the analysis of the research team at ES-G, Li concentrations tend to be highly impacted by hydrothermal alteration. They found that Li concentration can vary by two orders of magnitude when compared to the fresh granite mainly due to secondary minerals precipitation. However, solubilisation of Li is identified in most of the case where hydrothermal alteration is important.
Stakeholders interested in the characterisation performed by ES-G have the chance to find more detailed information at the upcoming Stanford Geothermal Workshop, taking place between 10 and 12 February 2025.
Further isotopic analysis of Li and Sr in rock samples will allow researchers to further understand the sources and mobilisation of Li in geothermal brines. These analyses will provide more accurate insights into the geochemical processes involved and support the development of more efficient and sustainable lithium extraction methods.
© visual:Adobe Stock Photos
On 16 October 2024, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) was hosting not only the LiCORNE project’s M24 consortium meeting, but also its first exploitation workshop. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, with nearly 15 industry guests and members of the External Advisory Board (EAB), to discuss the latest advancements in lithium (Li) extraction technologies.
The workshop began with a welcome address by Dr. Lourdes Yurramendi [the coordinator of the LiCORNE initiative and Project Director at TECNALIA Waste Valorisation, Energy, Climate and Urban Transition], followed by Nader Akil, Operations Manager at PNO Innovation Belgium, who outlines the objectives of the exploitation workshop and provided an overview of the LiCORNE project. Funded by the European Commission, the project aims to develop competitive technologies for Li extraction and recovery from various feedstocks, including ores, geothermal brines and cathode waste materials. Following this introduction, various partners delivered technical presentations, showcasing their innovative approaches and key exploitable results after 24 months from the start of the project.
Regardless the feedstock considered, all these novel technologies share one theme: sustainability. This focus on sustainability translates into exploring research routes that go beyond the current state-of-the-art (SoA), reducing energy and water consumption and the generation of chemical waste:
Beyond technological presentations, the workshop also facilitated discussions with external participants, including members of the EAB and industry representatives. These exchanges provided valuable insights into the industry’s needs and opened up new routes for collaboration. To facilitate future collaborations, PNO presented several funding opportunities that can be used to bring the most promising technologies and the LiCORNE selected flowsheet to a pilot level.
As the project progresses, the focus will shift now towards the benchmarking and selection of the most promising LiCORNE technologies for upscaling to produce ~1 kg of battery-grade Li by the end of the project. This phase aims to shape a path towards larger piloting and future commercialisation.
The European energy transition will be built on electrification, relying on clean technologies highly depending on metals, the majority being listed as critical and strategic raw materials. JRC’s Foresight Study, assessing supply chain dependencies and predicting materials demand until 2050, highlights EU’s need to diversity and secure a more resilient resourcing of needed metals. Additional recommendations refer to the necessity to explore Europe’s potential to build internal capacities for mining, refining and processing materials needed for battery production.
In the coming years, demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) will be driven by the automotive sector, complemented by the demand for energy storage systems (ESS) storage requested by the deployment of renewables. Compared to the current supply of materials, major increases are foreseen for graphite (45% in 2030 and 85% in 2050) and lithium (Li) (100% in 2030, expected to reach 170% in 2050). In 2030, the cobalt (Co) demand for batteries will represent almost 60% of the current world supply, expecting to decrease to 40% in 2050, partly due to the shift towards more nickel-rich batteries [source: Foresight Study, JRC].
In the current scenario, overshadowed by geopolitical instability and reliance on powerful nations for critical minerals, the recently adopted Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) underpins, among other solutions, the need to turn towards domestically sourced recycled metal, which will help reduce reliance on imports or single sources. With clear objectives to strengthen EU’s capacities along the entire value chain, the CRMA additionally sets a threshold for the EU’s processing capacity, which should cover by 2030 at least 40% of the domestic annual consumption of strategic materials.
Researchers from SINTEF have been studying the possibility of recovering Li, nickel (Ni) and Co from secondary raw materials such as black mass, as well as Li from primary resources – spodumene concentrate. The team at SINTEF approached the task by converting the metals in raw materials using molten salt chlorination, a process that could become an alternative to state-of-the-art (SoA) hydrometallurgy.
Researchers conducted experiments on three types of input materials: one spodumene concentrate and two different samples of black mass (BM), the first one of unknown battery chemistry and pre-treatment, while the second BM sample, recovered from an NMC material, had undergone pyrolysis pre-treatment.
The experiments allowed researchers to study the thermal expansion and melting behaviour of the spodumene concentrate, obtaining the highest Li yield (100 %) when chlorine gas is used in a mixture of calcium chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride at a temperature of 727 ⁰C . Experiments on black mass material showed the highest chlorination yields were obtained from uncalcined material (Li 64 %, Co and Ni 22-24 %, Cu 83% and Mn 49 %) in a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride at at 470 ⁰C.
The results of this research was presented by SINTEF representatives at the Joint Symposium on Molten Salts in November 2023.
Discover the scientific publication
© visual: SINTEF
The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), proposed by the European Commission in March 2023, was adopted by the Council one year later, on 18 March 2024, after Parliament’s first reading, marking the last step in the decision-making procedure. Several years ago, the raw materials topic was a subject addressed mainly by a limited list of “connaisseurs”. This story looks completely different today, when we are referring to the Critical raw Materials Act as a strategic file. The quick adoption procedure shows nothing but the need for action translating Europe’s urge to secure a sustainable supply of critical raw materials (CRMs).
Standing at the core of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, together with the Net Zero Industry Act and the Reform of the electricity market design, the CRMA is a flagship initiative with the following specific objectives:
The bloc further consolidated this timely adoption with a set of complementary regulations and diplomatic initiatives, outlining a clear position ready to reduce reliance on third countries through export restrictions and screening for foreign direct investment across various sectors [e.g. forging strategic agreements with Chile, Greenland, Ukraine, Canada, Rwanda, and more recently Norway and Kazakhstan].
Read the official press release
Echoing the official communication, Jo Brouns, Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy and Agriculture declared: With the Critical Raw Materials Act we want to turn the challenges of our dependencies into strategic autonomy and an opportunity for our economy. This legislative act will boost our mining sector, enhance our recycling and processing capacities, create local and good quality jobs, and ensure that our industry is up and ready for the digital and green transitions.
The CRMs act establishes a lists of 16 ‘strategic raw materials’ (SRMs) and 34 CRMs. The list of CRMs was prepared by the Commission based on their economic importance and supply risk. SRMs were identified based on their relevance for the green and digital transition, as well as for defence and space applications. Additionally, the act introduces for the first time the concept of “Strategic projects” which would be eligible for streamlined permitting processes and easier access to financing, with provisions aiming to speed up the permit granting process for critical raw material projects.
On 6 May 2024, the Regulation was published in the Official Journal, marking its entry into force.
Download the official document
© visual: European Commission
Author: ÉS-GÉOTHERMIE [ÉS-G]
Among European geothermal sites, the Upper Rhine Graben (URG) has a great potential for a lithium (Li) production from geothermal brines due to its high concentration and the significant water flows exploited by the geothermal power plants in this area.
Despite its great potential, certain gaps in the basic knowledge of the geochemistry of the URG rocks are persisting, as there is scarce conclusive investigation carried out in the past to estimate the Li content as well as the mechanisms of Li recharge in brine. Identifying Li-rich geological units are essential to target areas with higher Li concentrations for exploration and to ensure the sustainability of this resource.
In geothermal systems, hydrothermal fluids circulate through the fractured and porous rock formations, undergoing complex interactions with the surrounding lithology. Various processes, such as leaching, dissolution, and precipitation, can occur and they can significantly influence the concentration of Li in the circulating fluids. Knowing the chemistry of the reservoir rocks could help us understand chemical reactions occurring between the hydrothermal fluids and the rocks and therefore how Li is mobilised and transported into the geothermal brine.
In the LiCORNE project, ESG is conducting detailed geochemical analysis of several core drills including granite, sandstone, and limestone from geothermal wells drilled in Northern Alsace. Researchers finalised the rock sampling task at the beginning of 2024, while the chemical measurements are expected at the end of June, current year.
Sampling of granite rocks in the core shelter. © ES-Géothermie (ESG)
In total, 57 samples were collected and closely studied, which facilitates understanding of the chemical elements behaviour in the rock before and after the hydrothermal circulation/alteration. Comparing the results of this on-going investigation with the few data available in literature and referring to the Li concentration in URG rocks could reveal an unexpected behaviour of Li in the geothermal reservoir rocks.
After careful analysis of the chemical composition, isotopic analysis of the same rock will follow which will show more accurately potential sources of Li in the geothermal brine.
A. Fresh monzogranite sampled at 1774.5 m depth); B. Hydrothermally altered granite showing argillic alteration sampled at 2159.30 m depth. © ES-Géothermie (ESG)
Author: ADMIRIS [ADM]
ADMIRIS [ADM], partner in WP9 [Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation] and responsible for designing and proposing a sound business model for the LiCORNE project, successfully delivered the preliminary market and logistics analysis. This initial study marks an essential milestone in the journey towards understanding the optimal LiCORNE value chain and is the first step in a series of three reports designed to reach the project’s final business analysis.
The scope of this preliminary analysis was extensive, focusing on understanding the dynamics of the market through supply-demand analysis, pricing evaluations, and logistics assessments. Delving into these key areas allowed researchers to gain valuable insights that would facilitate the selection of the most suitable locations for the LiCORNE plant facilities. The study examined the external dynamics of lithium products, thus identifying market trends, challenges, and opportunities. This comprehensive picture of the market landscape will allow partners to pinpoint optimal plant locations that align with the project’s strategic objectives.
Main take-aways from this preliminary study:
The results of this preliminary analysis are promising, showcasing several potential plant locations that offer favourable conditions for the LiCORNE technologies within Europe. These findings pave the way for further exploration and refinement as we progress towards our ultimate goal of establishing a robust and efficient Li value chain.
In advancing the development of LiCORNE’s business case, the consortium partners remain committed to leveraging these insights to drive the success of this project that has the potential to revolutionise the lithium industry and deliver innovative solutions to meet the growing demands of the market.
© Photo: Minakryn Ruslan (under Adobe License)