Concentration of Spodumene from North Carolina Pegmatite Ores (MINING ENGINEERING)

North Carolina is the leading state in the US in lithium mineral production. Spodumene is mined in open pits and concentrated by flotation by the two companies, Lithium Corp. of America and Foote Mineral Co. North Carolina State University has a mineral research laboratoy in Asheville, N. C., with trained personnel, batch and pilot plant facilities to assist in the state's mineral development. The NCSU Minerals Research Laboratory assisted both lithium-producing companies with spodumene concentration problems and has lately worked closely with Lithium Corp. of America to develop the best flowsheet for spodumene and byproduct recovery. The concentration of North Carolina spodumene and byproducts from pegmatites is presented and illustrated with figures.