Lithium-Oxide
Lithium Oxide (Li2O) is a white, solid, inorganic chemical. It has a strong base that is corrosive when dissolved in water where it produces lithium hydroxide.
Lithium Oxide is also known as dilithium monoxide. It is created when lithium is burned to air where it combines with oxygen. When this is carried out lithium nitride is also formed. Lithium oxide can also be made by heating lithium peroxide. It is a chemical that makes lithium salts as a result of its reaction with acids. Lithium oxide also reacts with carbon dioxide where it forms lithium carbonate that is far less corrosive and creates a red flame. It is also quite toxic owing to its strong alkalinity.
Lithium oxide use is continually expanding as is being discovered in scientific research. It can be used in the following applications:
- As a flux in glazing ceramic products that creates blue when mixed with copper and pink with cobalt. It is also added as a co-dopant in a zirconia top coat in ceramic finishing
- Non-rechargeable lithium batteries have already been used in watches, electronic games, computers, cameras and calculators
- A possible new use on the horizon could be lithium oxide replacing lithium cobalt oxide in lithium ion batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries. This use of lithium compounds has the largest growth potential as it involves batteries belonging to mobile phones, tablets, portable computers, MP3 players and cordless tools. Motor vehicle companies are looking at developing lithium batteries for battery-powered vehicles
Australia is one of the world largest producers of lithium with mines operated by the following companies in Western Australia:
- Talison Lithium at Greenbushes
- Altura Mining Limited at Pilgangoora
- Galaxy Resources Mount Cattlin mine at Ravensthorpe (currently on care and maintenance)
- Reed Resources at Mount Marion
The latest lithium mine to be developed in Australia is Altura's world class project at Pilgangoora in Western Australia. This is being claimed to be one of the largest hard rock lithium deposits to be discovered anywhere in the world and it is due to begin production in 2013.
The Pilgangoora project is located 1,250 kilometres north east of Perth and 120 kilometres south of Port Hedland. This project has road linkage to the port at Geraldton where it is planning to export lithium concentrate.
The lithium deposit at Pilgangoora has a JORC Resource estimate of 25.16 million tonnes grading at 1.23 percent lithium that is expected to produce 310,000 tonnes of contained lithium oxide. It is an important discovery in that there are only a limited number of known lithium deposits in the world that can be mined economically. The shallow Pilgangoora deposit is expected to deliver high yields and low strip ratio's.
World demand for lithium is currently growing at 10 percent a year and as this new find is the fourth largest known deposit in the world it is expected that Altura could become one of the worlds largest low cost lithium producers.
Western Australia is known throughout the world as a reliable producer of high grade lithium because of the long running Greenbushes mine near Bunbury that is expected to be acquired from Talison by specialist US company Rockwood Holdings in the near future.
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.
