Recovery of Lithium Carbonate from Nigerian Lepidolite Ore via Roasting-Leaching-Precipitation

Authors

  • Mohammed U. GARBA

    Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

  • Musa A. ABDULLAHI

    National Agency for Science & Engineering Infrastructure, Abuja, Nigeria

    Author

  • Isah RABI

    Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

  • Saadatu A. GORO

    Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

  • Habibu UTHMAN

    Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

  • Abubakar S. MOHAMMED

    Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

  • Umaru AHMADU

    Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

  • Usman S. ONODUKU

    Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

    Author

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/mywzsy80
Keywords:
Lepidolite, roasting, leaching, impurities, characterization, lithium carbonate.
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of extracting lithium from lepidolite ore sourced from Eggon, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, using a sulfuric acid roasting-water leaching method. The raw ore, a complex aluminosilicate with a low lithium content of 1.12%, underwent a multi-stage process involving calcination, acid roasting, water leaching, and precipitation. Characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) confirmed successful mineralogical and chemical transformations at each stage. Calcination at 900 °C and subsequent roasting with sulfuric acid at 300 °C effectively activated the ore, converting lithium into a soluble sulfate. Subsequent leaching and purification steps led to the precipitation of lithium carbonate. The final product was a crystalline, lithium-rich powder, although some trace metals persisted. The results confirm the technical viability of this process for producing lithium carbonate, highlighting its potential for industrial application in battery manufacturing.
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Published
31-12-2025
Issue
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): December 2025
Section
Articles
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Copyright (c) 2025 FUDMA Journal of Engineering and Technology

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
Mohammed U. GARBA, “Recovery of Lithium Carbonate from Nigerian Lepidolite Ore via Roasting-Leaching-Precipitation”, FJET, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 940–947, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.33003/mywzsy80.

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