Lithium extraction methods and its application prospects: a review

Authors

  • A.A. Yersaiynova Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University
  • Z.B. Karshyga Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University
  • N.A.А. Muhammad Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
  • A.M. Yessengaziyev Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University
  • B.M. Orynbayev Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2026/6445.21

Keywords:

lithium outlook, lithium minerals, demand and use, lithium resources, key technologies.

Abstract

Lithium is the most important raw material for the production of modern electronics and electric vehicles. Today, it is impossible to imagine any mobile device without lithium batteries. The role of lithium in the global economy is only growing. The production of electric vehicles and batteries contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Nevertheless, end-of-life lithium-ion batteries pose a danger to the ecosystem. The article presents technological developments in the field of lithium extraction. The main sources of lithium are pegmatites, continental and geothermal brines, as well as clays, seawater and industrial brines. The main commercial lithium product is lithium carbonate (Li2CO3), which is obtained mainly from the mining, extraction and processing of spodumene ores and saltlake, oilfield brines. The effective role of lithium in addressing important issues such as pollution, climate change and the increasing depletion of natural resources used to produce lithium-ion batteries for these electric vehicles is also discussed.

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Author Biographies

A.A. Yersaiynova, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University

Doctoral student, laboratory of titanium and rare refractory metals, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0638-380X

Z.B. Karshyga, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University

Ph.D., Leading Researcher, Associate Professor, laboratory of titanium and rare refractory metals, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3025-7363

N.A.А. Muhammad, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Ph.D., Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim, Perak, 35900, Malaysia. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2792-4145

A.M. Yessengaziyev, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University

Ph.D., Head of the Laboratory of Titanium and Rare Refractory Metals of the Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan. ORCiD ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-4119

B.M. Orynbayev, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC; Satbayev University

Doctoral student, laboratory of titanium and rare refractory metals, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7730-9060

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Published

2025-03-14

How to Cite

Yersaiynova, A., Karshyga, Z., Muhammad, N., Yessengaziyev, A., & Orynbayev, B. (2025). Lithium extraction methods and its application prospects: a review. Kompleksnoe Ispolzovanie Mineralnogo Syra = Complex Use of Mineral Resources, 337(2), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.31643/2026/6445.21

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