Sustainable Direct Lithium Extraction Technologies From Secondary Mineral Raw Materials and Industrial Wastes

This study investigates innovative beneficiation and processing technologies for lithium extraction from secondary mineral raw materials and technogenic wastes. The research focuses on environmentally sustainable direct lithium extraction methods based on hydrometallurgical leaching, adsorption systems, and membrane separation technologies. Sulfuric acid leaching was applied to transfer lithium compounds into productive solutions, while lithium-selective adsorbents including lithium manganese oxide and lithium titanium oxide materials were used for selective lithium recovery. Membrane technologies such as nanofiltration and electrodialysis were additionally investigated to improve lithium purification efficiency and reduce impurity concentrations. The obtained results demonstrated that direct lithium extraction technologies achieved lithium recovery efficiencies of 93–95%, significantly higher than conventional evaporation methods. The proposed technologies also reduced water consumption and energy demand compared with traditional pyrometallurgical processes. The research confirms that innovative lithium extraction technologies provide promising, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternatives for future lithium production from secondary mineral resources.