This article will explore the treatment methods of lithium tailings extracted from spodumene from a professional perspective, providing reference for the environmental protection and resource utilization of tailings.
In the process of extracting lithium from spodumene, sulfuric acid or sulfate method is usually used for leaching. After extracting lithium element, a large amount of tailings will be produced. These tailings contain a certain amount of residual lithium and other valuable elements, as well as chemical substances such as sulfates, and have the following characteristics:
The chemical composition is complex: tailings contain incompletely extracted lithium and other valuable elements such as cesium, tantalum, etc.
High environmental risk: Contains chemicals such as sulfates, which may cause pollution to the environment if not handled properly.
High resource potential: The valuable elements in tailings have the potential for secondary development and utilization.
Tailings re-processing is an effective means to improve resource utilization efficiency. By using physical or chemical methods to further extract valuable elements from tailings, the recovery rate of resources can be significantly improved.
The flotation method uses flotation agents to separate valuable elements from tailings through a flotation machine. The magnetic separation method utilizes the magnetic differences of iron, titanium and other magnetic minerals in tailings for magnetic separation. The reselection method separates minerals based on their density differences using equipment such as shaking tables and spiral chutes. The chemical leaching method uses chemical reagents to further extract valuable elements from tailings. These methods can not only improve the recovery rate of resources, but also reduce the discharge of tailings and lower environmental risks.
Tailings filling technology is an environmentally friendly and economical way of tailings treatment. By using tailings as filling material for the filling of goaf in mines, land occupation and environmental damage can be reduced. The main steps of tailings filling include tailings concentration, tailings mixing, filling and transportation, and stabilization of the filling body.
Firstly, by using concentration equipment to increase the solid-liquid ratio of tailings, the volume of filling materials can be reduced. Then, the tailings are mixed with cementitious materials such as cement and fly ash to form a stable filling material. Next, the filling material is transported to the goaf of the mine through pumping or belt conveyor. Finally, through monitoring and maintenance, ensure the stability and safety of the filling material. This technology can not only effectively utilize tailings, but also reduce the impact of mining on the environment.
Tailings solidification technology can effectively reduce the environmental risks of tailings. Through solidification technology, harmful substances in tailings are fixed to reduce their potential threat to the environment.
Common solidification methods include cement solidification, chemical stabilization, and heat treatment. Cement solidification is achieved by adding cement to react harmful substances in tailings with cement, forming a stable solidified body.
Chemical stabilization is achieved by adding chemical stabilizers to reduce the activity of harmful substances in tailings. Heat treatment involves high-temperature treatment to decompose or solidify harmful substances in tailings. These methods can not only reduce the pollution of tailings to the environment, but also improve the safety of tailings.
The resource utilization of tailings is an important way to turn waste into treasure. By developing valuable elements in tailings, they can be transformed into valuable products.
For example, using tailings to prepare building materials, ceramic materials, etc. The elements such as silicon and aluminum in tailings can be used to prepare ceramic products, while the sulfates they contain can be used to prepare cement. In addition, tailings can also be used as soil amendments to improve soil structure and enhance soil fertility. These applications can not only reduce tailings emissions, but also create new economic growth points for enterprises.
Tailings treatment is not only related to environmental protection, but also to the economic benefits of enterprises. Through reasonable tailings treatment technology, dual benefits of environmental protection and economy can be achieved.
Firstly, tailings treatment can reduce the pollution of tailings to the environment and protect the ecological environment. Secondly, through the reuse of tailings, the utilization rate of resources can be improved and the exploitation of new resources can be reduced. Finally, the application of tailings treatment technology can also create new economic growth points for enterprises and improve their economic efficiency. Therefore, the selection and application of tailings treatment technology need to comprehensively consider environmental requirements and economic benefits.
