Lithium extraction from Chinese salt-lake brines: opportunities, challenges, and future outlook

Abstract

Chinese salt-lake brine is mainly of the magnesium sulfate subtype with a high Mg/Li ratio. Mining lithium from Chinese salt-lake brine has been a decades-long technical challenge. The pros and cons of various technologies are briefly discussed. Chemical extraction has been the most important technology for the recovery of lithium from Chinese salt-lake brine with a high Mg/Li ratio. Several other innovative technologies, including lithium ion sieves, membrane separation, and electro–electrodialysis, have also emerged as potential options.