Mineralogical Characterization and Comminution Energy Requirement of Lithium-Bearing Pegmatite in Burkuke, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2025
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study focuses on the mineralogical characterization and comminution energy requirement of
lithium-bearing pegmatite located in the Burkuke locality in Sidama Regional state, Ethiopia. The
increasing request of lithium around the world, used especially for batteries and renewable
energy technologies, requires a deeper knowledge of mineralogical and chemical characteristics
of pegmatites that is fundamental to develop the most efficient extraction techniques. The X-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates that all three samples consist of multiple mineral phases and
their compositions and abundances of minerals are different between the samples. XRD analysis
confirmed the presence of critical lithium-bearing minerals Spodumene Present in all three
samples (DE01: 30.1%, DE02: 10.3%, DE03: 12.6%), indicating moderate to significant lithium
potential. Associated gangue minerals: Quartz, feldspar, albite, muscovite, and biotite, which can
affect the liberation and separation processes. According to the results of the Atomic absorption
spectroscopy (AAS) analysis the content of lithium oxide in the concentrates is relatively low
(0.09%) and this is an integral factor in taking into account of the possibility of lithium extraction
from this pegmatite. The findings indicate that although fine grinding enhances mineral
liberation, energy consumption requires particular attention when processing operations are
performed on an industrial scale. From grinding data, it is found that the feed size, the milling
speed, and the amount of consumed energy affect the size reduction phenomenon. Sample 1 (350
rpm, 3.35 kWh/ton, P80 320 μm), Sample 2 (700 rpm, 5.01 kWh/ton, P80 200 μm), Sample 3
(1050 rpm,1.53 kWh/ton, P80 620 μm), and Sample 4 (3.365 kWh/ton, P80 1.3 mm).
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Keywords
Characterization, comminution, energy, lithium, mineralogy