Spodumene

Spodumene from Pakistan

Spodumene is a lithium aluminium inosilicate mineral (LiAlSi₂O₆) that occurs in lithium-rich granitic pegmatites. It contains up to 8.03% Li₂O in its pure form, making it the highest-grade hard-rock lithium mineral. Spodumene crystals are typically elongated, prismatic, and range in color from pale green and grey to pink and lilac. Pakistan’s Himalayan pegmatite belt, extending through the northern areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hosts spodumene-bearing formations that are increasingly attracting attention as global lithium demand accelerates.

Available Forms

• Hand-sorted lumps: 20-200 mm (5-6% Li₂O)

• Run-of-mine (ROM) lumps: 10-300 mm (4-5% Li₂O)

• Crushed ore: 0-50 mm, 0-25 mm

• Screened sizes: 10-50 mm, 0-10 mm

• Custom sizing available

Industrial Uses

• Lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) production: Spodumene is calcined at 1050-1100°C to convert alpha-spodumene to beta-spodumene, which is then acid-roasted with sulphuric acid and leached to produce lithium sulphate solution. This is purified and converted to battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%+) for lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturing

• Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) production: Lithium carbonate or lithium sulphate from spodumene processing is converted to lithium hydroxide monohydrate, the preferred lithium feedstock for high-nickel NMC and NCA cathode chemistries used in premium EVs and energy storage systems

• Electric vehicle batteries: Spodumene-derived lithium compounds are the critical cathode material in lithium-ion batteries powering electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and electric buses globally

• Grid-scale energy storage: Lithium from spodumene feeds the rapidly growing stationary energy storage market for solar, wind, and grid stabilization applications

• Ceramics and glass: Uncalcined spodumene (alpha-spodumene) is used directly in ceramic bodies and glass-ceramic formulations. Li₂O reduces thermal expansion, lowers melting temperatures, and improves thermal shock resistance in cookware, stovetops, and specialty glass

• Glass manufacturing: Lithium from spodumene is added to glass batches to reduce melting temperature, increase flow, and improve chemical durability in container glass, flat glass, and specialty optical glass

• Greases and lubricants: Lithium hydroxide from spodumene is used to produce lithium-based greases, the most widely used grease type in automotive and industrial applications

• Pharmaceutical and chemical: Lithium compounds from spodumene are used in pharmaceuticals (lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder treatment), air conditioning (lithium bromide absorption systems), and specialty chemical synthesis

• Metallurgy: Lithium from spodumene is used in aluminium smelting as a bath additive to improve energy efficiency and reduce fluoride emissions

Quality Assurance

Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis reporting Li₂O, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, Na₂O, K₂O, CaO, MgO, MnO, P₂O₅, LOI, moisture, and size distribution. Assays are performed by accredited laboratories using ICP-OES and wet chemistry methods. Pre-shipment samples are provided for buyer approval. Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, or equivalent) can be arranged on request.