FLSmidth has signed a deal to provide pyroprocessing and comminution equipment for Tianqi Lithium Australia’s lithium processing plant to be located in Kwinana, WA.
Tianqi Lithium Industries controls a majority stake in the Greenbushes mine, one of the world’s largest producers of lithium concentrate from spodumene.
It is developing a downstream processing plant, which convert around 161,000 tonnes per year of spodumene concentrate into 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide for use in lithium ion batteries.
The $US12 million equipment includes a 2-stage cyclone preheater rotary kiln with an indirect rotary cooler, a natural, gas-fired kiln burner and a complete, off-gas handling circuit. The rotary kiln will help deliver high lithium recovery, while reducing fuel consumption.
The order is expected to be delivered by the end of next year.