As lithium extraction and refining technologies evolve, economics will determine what scales. This presentation examines cost structures across hard rock, brine, clay, DLE, and recycling pathways; China’s enduring refining advantage; ex-China policy ambitions; and emerging process innovation. It outlines how carbon intensity, capital discipline, and strategic control are shaping the next phase of global lithium supply.

The production of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) requires the removal of insoluble impurities. This is achieved by converting Li2CO3 into water-soluble lithium bicarbonate via CO2 contact in a bicarbonate reactor. Scaling this process from lab to industrial scale presents challenges due to complex three-phase interactions. This presentation showcases a case study with original products, detailing pilot tests in a scalable stirred reactor system, scale-up methodology, and continuous reactor modeling. Key parameters—pressure, temperature, stirring, power input, and gas injection—were investigated. The study validated process conditions and developed a commercial reactor design, demonstrating a reliable scale-up approach.

This novel technology, developed by the Extractive Metallurgy Hub at Murdoch University, introduces an alkaline lithium extraction process for direct a-spodumene processing, offering a cleaner and more selective alternative to conventional methods. By utilizing alkaline reagents, the process enhances lithium yield and minimizes environmental impact, eliminating the need for high-temperature phase transformation. The results indicate improved lithium recovery rates and reduced production of waste by-products. This innovative approach streamlines lithium extraction, delivering greater efficiency and sustainability for battery-grade lithium production, while supporting the increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage solutions.

The beneficiation of lithium typically involves Dense Media Separation (DMS) to pre-concentrate lithium-bearing minerals like spodumene. DMS uses the specific gravity differences between minerals to achieve separation. This method is particularly effective in processing coarse-grained ores. The objective of this work is to validate the behavior of the proposed pre-concentration flowchart using METSIM simulations, as well as evaluate different scenarios altering DMS to optimise lithium recovery.

This study presents a preferential method for recovering lithium from NCM (LiNiMnCoO2) and LFP (LiFePO4) black powders (BPs) using pressure oxidative leaching in autoclave systems. This leaching process demonstrated exceptional selectivity for lithium extraction, simultaneously precipitating transition metals as reusable hydroxides and oxides.

This work investigates lithium carbonate precipitation from sodium-rich lithium sulfate liquors by controlling the feed rate of a sodium carbonate slurry and systematically evaluating purity as a function of the number of washing cycles. The influence of slurry feed rate on product purity is elucidated, and the feasibility of producing battery-grade Li2CO3 under impurity-rich recycling conditions is assessed.

This presentation will discuss the production of high-purity battery-grade lithium carbonate product from lithium brine sources.

The global shift toward clean energy and advanced manufacturing is driving an urgent need for more sustainable, selective, and cost-effective mineral processing methods. We present a biotechnology platform that harnesses peptides and proteins, to target minerals with exceptional specificity and affinity. These bioinspired molecules can selectively separate valuable metals and minerals, including precious metals and rare earth elements (REEs. By integrating these peptides into engineered, recyclable protein systems, the platform enables repeated separation cycles without loss of performance. Scalable recombinant production and reduced purification requirements enhance economic viability, while the water-based process eliminates the need for harmful solvents. This approach offers broad applicability—from primary mineral separation to urban mining applications such as recycling photovoltaic panels, magnets, and batteries—delivering significant environmental, economic, and operational benefits. This work demonstrates the transformative potential of biomolecule-based separation strategies to redefine the future of mineral processing and resource recovery.

Lithium iron phosphate cathode active chemistries are, besides layered oxide chemistries, the most important group of cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries. The presentation discusses the differences between the Chinese and the European market and its implications on recycling. As the Chinese market is much more mature, a special emphasis is laid on the question to what extent learnings from China can be transferred to Europe.

Dr. Sloop will discuss a three-dimensional approach for battery materials reclamation: Deactivation, Direct Recycling, and Design. The service of lithium-ion batteries and recycling of their materials is at the forefront of the reestablishment of the North American supply chain of critical materials refining and manufacturing. The industrialisation of this requires innovative processes and design to realize cost and safety demands for US dominance in the next generation of lithium-ion manufacturing.

Direct lithium extraction (DLE) is rapidly transitioning from a niche alternative to evaporation ponds into a commercially compelling technology reshaping lithium supply. Driven by technological advances, DLE delivers faster production, smaller land and water footprints, and higher lithium recoveries, reducing environmental impacts through controlled brine reinjection. Commercial and near-commercial projects across salar, oilfield, and geothermal brines show strong momentum. Although DLE requires higher upfront CAPEX, improved recoveries and faster ramp-up enhance overall economics and expand viable resources. This talk reviews DLE technologies, deployment status, remaining challenges, and their strategic role in securing sustainable lithium supply.

Summit Nanotech’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) process combines its proprietary eLIVATE sorbent with a sequenced column approach to achieve high lithium recovery, high impurity rejection, and low water use. Validated field data from a South American demonstration system, supported by pilot data from additional South and North American brines, confirm that these performance outcomes are achievable beyond the lab, providing a scalable and environmentally responsible path for lithium production.