Lithium Clay Processing Plant | Full Turnkey Solution for Clay Lithium Extraction

Product Overview

Lithium clay ore is a special lithium resource where lithium ions are adsorbed within clay mineral structures, different from spodumene hard rock or salt lake brine. Our full lithium clay processing plant adopts low-temperature acid leaching technology. After crushing, grinding, acid leaching, solid-liquid separation, purification, solvent extraction and precipitation, the system produces battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide. This solution targets large clay lithium deposits mainly distributed in Mexico and Nevada USA, featuring lower energy consumption compared with spodumene high-temperature roasting process.

Core Advantages

• Low-temperature leaching process, no 1000°C high-temperature roasting, greatly reduces energy cost
• Raw clay ore is soft, low power consumption for crushing & grinding section
• Flexible capacity design from small modular plant to large industrial production line
• Customizable final product: battery-grade Li₂CO₃ or LiOH
• Complete waste residue neutralization & wastewater treatment system to meet local environmental standards
• Full turnkey service: process design, equipment supply, installation guidance, commissioning and after-sales support

Key Technical Parameters

Process Flow Summary

Raw Lithium Clay Ore → Primary & Secondary Crushing → Fine Grinding → Acid Leaching → Solid-Liquid Separation → Purification & Impurity Removal → Solvent Extraction → Lithium Precipitation → Filtration → Drying → Product Packaging, Waste Residue & Wastewater Treatment

Complete Equipment List

1. Crushing & Grinding Section

• Jaw Crusher, Cone Crusher
• Vibrating Feeder, Vibrating Screen
• Belt Conveyors
• Ball Mill / Vertical Roller Mill

2. Leaching Section

• Agitation Leaching Tanks
• Acid Dosing & Metering System
• pH Monitoring & Control Unit

3. Solid-Liquid Separation Section

• Thickener
• Filter Press / Vacuum Belt Filter
• Slurry Transfer Pumps

4. Purification & Solvent Extraction Section

• Mixer-Settler Solvent Extraction Units
• Chemical Dosing System
• Solution Storage Tanks

5. Precipitation & Product Processing Section

• Precipitation Reaction Tanks
• Filter Press
• Dryer
• Product Packaging Machine

6. Auxiliary & Environmental Protection System

• Waste Residue Neutralization System
• Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Rubber-lined Pipes & Wear-resistant Pumps
• PLC Automatic Control Cabinet

Consumables

• Sulfuric acid (main leaching reagent)
• Lime, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide
• Solvent extraction extractant & organic phase
• Filter cloth, filter plate accessories
• Pump liners, impellers, pipeline wear parts
• Rubber lining for tanks

FAQ

Q1: What is Lithium Clay Processing?
A1: Lithium clay processing is hydrometallurgical technology to extract lithium from clay-hosted ore. Lithium is adsorbed in clay minerals. Ore is crushed, ground and leached by sulfuric acid under low temperature, after purification and solvent extraction to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide.

Q2: What is the difference between lithium clay processing and spodumene processing?
A2: Spodumene requires high-temperature roasting above 1000°C which consumes massive energy. Lithium clay uses low-temperature acid leaching to save energy. However, clay ore carries high Al/Fe/Mg impurities and consumes more sulfuric acid.

Q3: Where are lithium clay deposits mainly found?
A3: Major lithium clay deposits are located in Mexico and Nevada, USA, these regions are fast-growing lithium mining markets in North America.

Q4: What product can this plant produce?
A4: Battery-grade lithium carbonate is the main product. We can customize the process route to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide upon client requirements.

Q5: What capacity options do you offer?
A5: Our plant capacity ranges from 100TPD small modular line up to 3000TPD large industrial plant. Custom design according to your ore test report and site condition.

Q6: Is environmental treatment included in your solution?
A6: Yes. We supply full waste residue neutralization and wastewater treatment system to meet local mining environmental regulations.

Q7: Can you deliver turnkey project service?
A7: Yes. We provide ore mineral testing, process simulation, engineering design, full equipment manufacturing, installation guidance, commissioning, operator training and long-term after-sales service.