Comparative study of shaking table and dense medium separation for improved lithium recovery from Udawa ore, Kaduna state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims to optimize lithium recovery from Udawa Pegmatite using two beneficiation techniques: gravity separation with a Wilfley shaking table and dense medium separation (DMS). The ore, containing 3.03% Li₂O, was processed across three particle size ranges: -500 +250 μm, -250 +125 μm, and -125 +90 μm. The results from the Shaking Table tests indicated that the -250 +125 μm range provided the best recovery, with the concentrate assay improving to 4.25% Li₂O from 3.03% in the feed. The -500 +250 μm range showed a moderate recovery with a concentrate assay of 3.61% Li₂O, and the -125 +90 μm range produced a higher concentrate weight, but the assay dropped to 3.75% Li₂O, with a greater lithium loss in the tailings (2.05% Li₂O). For DMS, the -250 +125 μm range again yielded the best recovery with a concentrate assay of 3.70% Li₂O and minimal lithium in the tailings (1.04% Li₂O). The -500 +250 μm range produced a moderate concentrate assay of 3.63% Li₂O, while the -125 +90 μm range showed a 3.68% Li₂O concentrate, with higher lithium content in the tailings (1.14% Li₂O). This research highlights the -250 +125 μm sieve range as the optimal range for both methods, offering the best trade-off between lithium recovery, concentrate grade, and particle size. Shaking table performed slightly better for coarser materials, while DMS showed better performance with finer particles. The study provides essential insights for developing a more efficient and sustainable lithium beneficiation process in Nigeria, contributing to the country’s economic growth and the global transition to renewable energy solutions