Kebede Gamo (PhD)Deneke Gizaw2025-06-182025-06-182025https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5582This 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).en-USCharacterizationcomminutionenergylithiummineralogyThesis