Russian researchers have created a new method for processing lithium-containing ore mined at the Nurlikon deposit in Uzbekistan. This technology ensures the recovery of over 94% of lithium in the form of a finished product.
Specialists from JSC 'Giredmet', which is part of Rosatom's scientific division, participated in the development. The technology is intended for processing mica ores from Nurlikon, where the concentration of lithium oxide reaches approximately 0.5%.
Traditional enrichment methods are not applicable to this raw material because the characteristics of the valuable mineral and the surrounding rocks are very similar, and the high carbonate content complicates the separation process. However, the new methodology allows for a lithium extraction efficiency of 94.44%.
A key feature of this development is the use of phosphogypsum, which is an industrial waste product from the Almalyk Chemical Plant. According to the developers' calculations, this will allow for the annual processing of about 225 thousand tons of such waste. Furthermore, the technology itself does not generate liquid or solid waste; the residual materials are planned for use in the construction industry.
The planned design capacity of the future production line is estimated at 750 thousand tons of ore per year, which will ensure the output of over 8.5 thousand tons of pure lithium carbonate annually. 'Giredmet' specialists expect pilot industrial trials to begin as early as 2027 to assess the technology's suitability for full-scale industrial application.



