Experimental Study on beneficiation of a lithium mine in Zimbabwe

A lithium mine in Zimbabwe contains 1.20% Li2O, 0.023% Ta2O5, and 0.011% Nb2O5. The lithium minerals are mainly spodumene, as well as a small amount of lithium chlorite, lithium feldspar, lithium muscovite, etc; Tantalum niobium minerals are mainly tantalum manganese ore and niobium manganese ore. The beneficiation experiment uses sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate as slurry adjusters, magnesium chloride as spodumene activator, and BK452A and BK452B as combined collectors. Through the process of "one coarse selection, one sweep selection, and three fine selections", comprehensive recovery of spodumene and associated tantalum niobium minerals can be achieved. Closed circuit testing can obtain concentrates containing 5.52% Li₂O, 0.11% Ta₂O₅, and 0.043% Nb₂O₅. The recovery rates of lithium, tantalum, and niobium are 77.16%, 83.78%, and 85.27%, respectively, which can provide technical reference for the comprehensive recovery of such lithium ore resources.