Articles | Volume 45
https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-45-1-2018
https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-45-1-2018
16 Jul 2018
 | 16 Jul 2018

The Alvarrões-Gonçalo Li project: an example of sustainable lithium mining

Rui Sousa, Violeta Ramos, Alexandra Guedes, Fernando Noronha, Ana Botelho de Sousa, Mário Machado Leite, Reimar Seltmann, and Alla Dolgopolova

Cited articles

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Broadbent, C. P., Machado Leite, M., Andersen, J. C., and Martin, M.: FAME: Helping to valorize European lithium resources, Abstracts Book of the Lithium Conference, From Exploration to End-User, The Geological Society of London, Burlington House, 10–11 April 2018. 
Bulatovic, S. M.: Handbook of Flotation Reagents: Chemistry, theory and practice – Flotation of Industrial Minerals, 1st Edn., Elsevier Science, ISBN 978-0-444-53082-0, 2007. 
Burlakovs, J., Jani, Y., Kriipsalu, M., Vincevica-Gaile, Z., Kaczala, F., Celma, G., Ozola, R., Rozina, L., Rudovica, V., Hogland, M., Viksna, A., Pehme, K., Hogland, W., and Klavins, M.: On the way to “zero waste” management: Recovery potential of elements, including rare earth elements, from fine fraction of waste, J. Clean. Prod., 186, 81–90, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.102, 2018. 
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Short summary
Froth flotation is being tested in Gonçalo pegmatites to produce a lepidolite concentrate. The flotation rejects are mainly composed by a mixture of feldspar, quartz and non-recovered lepidolite (very low content). The scenario could be improved by applying froth flotation also for feldspar/quartz separation: the feldspar concentrate can be used to produce sanitary ware and tiles and quartz for glass and silica flour, reaching an almost zero waste production.