Extracting the critical minerals in a sustainable manner by tuning the chemistry will benefit the mining industries
Critical minerals are essential for a wide range of industrial applications, including energy, electronics, defence, and advanced manufacturing. Among them, lithium plays a vital role across all sectors. Although lithium is found in various mineral deposits, it does not occur in a pure metallic form, making its extraction challenging. While synthetic chemicals can be used to extract lithium, they cause a significant risk of contaminating wastewater streams. SPARC aims to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to enhance the beneficiation of lithium and reduce the environmental impact.
STATUS:
Current Project
Pathway to Commercialisation
Our approach involves using innovative, eco-friendly collector materials that are designed to be more selective in targeting the desired minerals and increasing the beneficiation. The outcomes of this research could play a significant role in meeting the growing demand for critical minerals while aligning with global efforts to extract critical minerals in a sustainable manner.
Scale Up Technologies
Our scale-up approach bridges the gap between research and real-world application needs. We benchmark the technology to ensure performance, beneficiation, and environmental safety at larger scales. With our pilot manufacturing, the workflow process will be streamlined to provide customised solutions.
Innovative Research & Development
We work closely with Curtin University and the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) to develop a bio-based collector system aimed at enhancing lithium extraction and beneficiation from mineral deposits. Recent results have shown significant improvements in beneficiation, driven by our effective collaboration and commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies.
Articles
Check out some of our SPARC Insights.
