Rosatom develops waste-free lithium extraction technology in Uzbekistan

The method, developed by specialists at JSC Giredmet, is designed to process ore containing approximately 0.5% lithium oxide. Some 94.44% of the lithium can be extracted into the finished product, while no liquid or solid waste is generated.

Phosphogypsum from the Almalyk Chemical Plant is to be used for the intermediate process. Each year, this will make it possible to use approximately 225,000 tonnes of industrial waste. The processing residues are intended to be sent to the cement industry.

The technology has a capacity of 750,000 tonnes of ore per year. According to Giredmet’s estimate, the production of high-purity lithium carbonate will exceed 8,500 tonnes. Pilot-industrial tests are scheduled for next year to prepare the method for implementation.