The relationship between spodumene surface pretreatment and flotation behavior: A review

Spodumene, a significant lithium extraction source, is primarily extracted from gangue minerals such as feldspar and quartz through flotation. Flotation is a process that relies on the difference in physicochemical properties of mineral surfaces. Therefore, it can be utilized to enhance the floatability of spodumene by means of surface pretreatment. Based on the crystal structure characteristics of spodumene and its associated gangue minerals, the main pretreatment methods and their effects on spodumene flotation were summarized in this paper. In the process of grinding, various grinding methods, media, and regulators have an impact on the spodumene flotation by influencing the generation of cleavage planes and the relative contents of Al on the surface. In addition, the pretreatment conducted prior to flotation can also influence the spodumene flotation by means of selective dissolution. Currently, the most widely used pretreatment method prior to spodumene flotation is high-intensity scrubbing, which influenced by various factors, including the type of pulp environment, scrubbing speed, and duration. Notably, scrubbing under high alkali conditions has become a common practice in industrial flotation processes. However, the presence of a high alkali condition poses significant challenges for the subsequent treatment of tailings and the reuse of wastewater.