Process Mineralogy Characteristics of Lijiagou Pegmatite Spodumene Deposit, Sichuan, China

Abstract

Ljiagou pegmatite spodumene deposit is part of the Ke’eryin ore-field in the central Songpan-Garze Fold Belt of Sichuan, China. After recent exploration and assessment, it has been established as a new super-large spodumene deposit. In order to determine the processing characteristics of the ore and assess its industrial value, based on detailed microscopic and hand specimen observations, this study employs various methods and techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), chemical element analysis, chemical phase analysis and the mineral liberation analyzer system (MLA). The average grade of lithium ore is 0.86%, making it a low-grade ore with 84.1% of Li derived from spodumene. The Li grade decreases with increasing depth, and the samples from shallower depths are easier to dissociate. The spodumene exhibits a wide range of grain sizes and is highly heterogeneous, requiring multiple stages of grinding. Based on the liberation characteristics, it is recommended to grind the material to −0.075 mm before entering the final flotation process.