Lithium
Lithium (Li) is a chemical element. It is a soft, silvery white metal that is part of the group of chemical elements known as the alkali metalgroup.
In normal circumstances lithium is the least dense and lightest of the solid elements and like all alkali metals is flammable and highly reactive. This is the reason it is usually stored in mineral oil. When lithium is opened up a metallic cluster is observed and it is found that when it is exposed to moist air its surface quickly takes on a black to silver-gray tarnish. Lithiums high reactivity doesn't allow it occur freely in nature. Therefore it can only exist in compounds which are normally ionic.
Lithium does however occur in many pegmatitic minerals, these are found in granite rocks that are composed of mica, feldspar and quartz. However, due to lithiums solubility as an ion it is also commonly found to exist in ocean water, clays and brines. Commercially, lithium can be isolated electrolytically from a mixture of potassium chloride and lithium chloride.
Lithium nuclei verges on instability and because of this it is not common in the solar system despite its nuclei being very light in the atomic weight sense. This makes it extremely important in nuclear physics and led to the transmutation of lithium atoms to helium in 1932 thereby creating the first man made nuclear reaction and lithium-6 deuteride serving as a fusion fuel in thermonuclear weapons.
Lithium compounds have many industrial applications, particularly those where heat resistance is required in certain glass and ceramic products, lithium-ion batteries, lithium batteries and strength to weight alloys used in aircraft.
The Many Uses of Lithium:
Lubricating
– Lithium hydroxide, when heated with fat creates a soap, lithium stearate. This is able
to thicken oil and is an efficient lubricant able to withstand high temperatures.
Electrical
– An important battery electrode that is able to generate higher voltage than lead acid or zinc carbon cell batteries.
Glass and ceramics
– Lithium oxide is used as a flux when processing silica to reduce the viscosity and melting point of the material being processed.
Metallurgy
– Metalic lithium is used as a flux for soldering and welding by facilitating the fusing of metals and eliminating oxide forming. Lithium also alloys with aluminium manganese and copper for use as aircraft components.
Optics
– lithium fluoride can be artificially grown as a crystal for its clarity and transparency to be used in various optical applications. It is used in this form as focal lenses in telescopes. Lithium applications are used more that 60 percent of mobile phones.
Polytechnics
– As an oxidiser in the making of red flares.
Purification of air
– Lithium hydroxide and lithium peroxide are used in confined areas as air purifiers in situations such as aboard spacecraft and in submarines for the removal of carbon dioxide. Lithium peroxide not only absorbs carbon in the presence of carbon it also releases oxygen. Lithium perchlorate is used in submarines as oxygen candles for the supply of oxygen.
Defence
- Metallic lithium, along with certain complex hybrids, is used as a high energy additive in rocket propellants. A block of solid lithium sprayed with sulphur hexafluoride gas creates heat which is used to create steam that propels torpedos. Large amounts of lithium-6 produced by isotope separation is used in nuclear weapons.
Medicine
– Lithium compounds have been found useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Lithium salts are showing promise as being useful in diagnosing cyclic major depression and schizoaffective disorder. Trace amounts of lithium is present in all organisms although it appears to have no effect on any biological functions.
Australia is a Leading Producer of Lithium
Lithium minerals that contain lithia (Li20) such as lepidolite, petalite and spodumene are mined from underground and open pit sources in Australia, which is one of the world's largest producers along with China, Zimbabwe and Canada. Australia currently has eight companies producing lithium.
Australian Mines that produce Bauxite
Gove (NT)
Up to 600 workers employed at the Gove bauxite refinery in the Northern Territory face an uncertain future as Pacific Aluminium suspends alumina production.
Ely (QLD)
The Ely Alcan Queensland Pty Ltd agreement at the Weipa bauxite mine is due to expire in 2041 but an option will give it a further 21 years extension.
Skardon River (QLD)
Gulf Alumina acquired 100 percent of the Skardon River tenement in 2011 from its koalin mining joint partner to develop the mining of bauxite at the site
Weipa (QLD)
The Weipa bauxite mine on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland is both owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan.
Huntly (WA)
The Huntly mine in Western Australia is the largest bauxite mine in the world currently producing about 23 million tonnes of bauxite annually.
Willowdale (WA)
The Willowdale bauxite mine that commenced production in 1984 still processes 10 million tonnes of bauxite a year at the nearby Wagerup Refinery.
Worsley (WA)
The Worsley bauxite mine and alumina refinery in South West Western Australia employs more than 1,800 people and produces 4.6 million tonnes of alumina annually.
South Aurukun (QLD)
The South Aurukun bauxite tenements on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland are held by Gulf Alumina.
Marchinbar Island (NSW)
The Marchinbar Island bauxite deposit in far north Northern Territory could be mined to satisfy a growing demand from China in the near future.
Kwinana Refinery (WA)
The Kwinana refinery in WA employs around 1,000 direct employees with 60 percent living in the nearby towns of Rockingham, Cockburn and Kwinana.
Wagerup Refinery (WA)
The Alcoa owned Wagerup alumina refinery in W.A. has received governmental approval to lift alumina production from 2.6 to 2.65 million tonnes annually.
Pinjarra Alumina Refinery (WA)
The Pinjarra alumina refinery, near Mandurah south of Perth, is an important part of Alcoa's three refinery system in Western Australia.
Portland Aluminium Smelter (VIC)
The Portland Aluminium smelter in western Victoria, a joint venture operation between Alcoa, CITIC and Marubeni, caters solely to the Asian market.
Felicitas (WA)
The Felicitas bauxite project in Western Australia contains a bauxite resource of 220 million tonnes that will give it a life of mine of 25 years
South Of Embley (QLD)
Despite Rio Tinto placing its South of Embley bauxite project in Cape York, Queensland, on hold for 18 months it still considers it a 'good project.'
Bauxite Hills (QLD)
The Bauxite Hills Project on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland is hoping to take advantage of an expected increase in the demand for Alumina.
Bald Hill (TAS)
Australian Bauxite Limited's Bald Hill mine, in Tasmania, is to start production in December, 2014. It is the first new bauxite mine in Australia, for over 35 years.
Urquhart Point (QLD)
The Urquhart Point Heavy Mineral Sands Project in Cape York in Far North Queensland is expected to begin production in mid-2015.
Amrun (QLD)
The Amrun bauxite project in far north Queensland, that was previously known as the 'South of Embley' project has been approved for development and expected to be in production by 2019.
