We are pleased to announce the publication of our new research article in Environmental, Science & Health entitled “Advances in Cost-Effective, Sustainable and Responsible Extraction of Critical Metals from Hard-Rock Lithium Projects” and authored by Georgios Bartzas and Konstantinos Komnitsas (TUC).
Abstract
The rapid growth in demand for lithium, driven by the expansion of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems, has intensified the need for its efficient, sustainable, and responsible extraction as well as for the extraction of associated critical metals from hard-rock deposits. These resources, including spodumene, lepidolite, petalite, and zinnwaldite, constitute an increasingly important component of the global lithium supply chain because of their higher grades, wider geographical distribution, and strategic importance for supply security. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in the beneficiation, extraction, refining, as well as co- and by-product recovery of lithium-bearing ores, with particular emphasis on critical raw materials (CRMs) such as tantalum, niobium, tin, beryllium, rubidium, cesium, tungsten, and rare earth elements. Recent developments in integrated multi-metal flowsheets, alternative hydrometallurgical and roasting routes, ore sorting, and critical metal recovery technologies are discussed. In addition, recent life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) studies are reviewed to evaluate the environmental and economic performance of emerging lithium production routes. The review highlights the transition from lithium-only production towards integrated and sustainable resource utilization frameworks that combine technical and economic performance, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance principles. Such an approach strengthens resource efficiency, improves supply-chain resilience, and supports the long-term sustainability of battery-material production.
DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2026.100754
