LITHOS project's focus:
EU domestic processing & refining of Li
by expanding and tailoring the existing flowsheet, which was developed for regular-grade spodumene ores, so that
- the cut-off grade for spodumene ores is reduced, resulting in larger Li reserves, while
- allowing the commercialisation of lower-grade pegmatite and RMG deposits.
LITHOS triggers innovations along the value chain – mineral processing, concentrate pre-treatment & hydrometallurgical refining – making it possible to deal with different levels and types of impurities in non-spodumene Li minerals (lepidolite & petalite).
LITHOS project's focus:
EU domestic processing & refining of Li
by expanding and tailoring the existing flowsheet, which was developed for regular-grade spodumene ores, so that
- the cut-off grade for spodumene ores is reduced, resulting in larger Li reserves, while
- allowing the commercialisation of lower-grade pegmatite and RMG deposits.
LITHOS triggers innovations along the value chain – mineral processing, concentrate pre-treatment & hydrometallurgical refining – making it possible to deal with different levels and types of impurities in non-spodumene Li minerals (lepidolite & petalite).
LITHOS' meta-objective:
to unleash Europe’s full Li-hard-rock ore potential so as to become self-sufficient by 2030–35 in terms of made-in-Europe LiOH·H2O.
Furthermore, LITHOS has a responsible mining and refining approach by giving specific attention to closing the water loops in the mineral processing and by reducing the overall CO2 emissions
Li2O
unleashed potential
less
water consumption
Less
CO2 emissions *
* compared to today’s benchmark (production of spodumene concentrate in Australia & refining in China).
LITHOS Consortium
VTT
Coordinator
Finnish Minerals Group
Beneficiary
KU Leuven
Beneficiary
BRGM
Beneficiary
Metso:Outotec
Beneficiary
Keliber
Beneficiry
TUC
Beneficiary
Savannah
Beneficiary
Imerys
Beneficiary
Metso:Outotec
Associated Partner
News
LITHOS Press release!
VTT (LITHOS Coordinator) has published a press release on their development of “more efficient lithium recovery – driven by EU’s goal of increasing self-sufficiency in mining operations”. “We are facing
EU Clustering Event on responsible mining in Europe (9 Sep’ 2024)
Will Europe succeed in opening new mines for energy-transition metals by 2030? Or will public opposition throw a spanner in the works? These are the questions addressed in the upcoming EU clustering event in Mechelen (BE) on 9 September 2024.
Euromines launches Episode 1 of its vodcast series: Peter Tom Jones
Euromines has launched the first episode of its vodcast series on the topic of Europe’s raw materials conundrum. Episode 1 features SIM² KU Leuven’s Peter Tom Jones. A 40-minute conversation about responsible mining, refining and recycling.
Journeyman Pictures distributes “Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle”
Journeyman Pictures will be distributing an edited version of “Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle”. For over twenty years Journeyman has distributed and co-produced, provocative, profound and original factual content, working with the top players in the industry.
Upgrading FeNi towards battery-grade Ni using continuous counter-current SX
SOLVOMET/SIM² researchers have successfully demonstrated a hydrometallurgical flowsheet for upgrading ferronickel (Class-II nickel) into battery grade nickel (Class-I nickel) in a mini-pilot SX facility.
Join us at ICHS 2024 Symposium (9-11 Sep 2024, Mechelen)
Full programme for ICHS 2024 is out (First International Symposium on Circular Hydrometallurgy, Mechelen, Belgium, 9-11 September 2024).
Documentary:
Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle
The documentary “Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle” investigates the challenges faced by Europe as it attempts to set up its own, fully integrated, mine-to-EV value chain.
The film acts as a wake-up call to avoid that Europe’s decarbonisation strategy leads to a nightmarish de-industrialisation. Instead, the documentary shows that Europe’s transition to climate neutrality can go hand in hand with a cleantech-based re-industrialisation. Made-in-Europe.
