Hans C. Oskierski

Murdoch University · School of Engineering & IT, Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering and Chemistry

This contribution develops a process for recovering lithium from β-spodumene by sequential pressure leach with solutions of carbonic acid, as a replacement for digestion of β-spodumene with concentrated sulfuric acid. Six sequential steps, each operated at 200 ◦C and 100 bar for 1 h, retrieve 75 % of lithium from the initial feed material. This com...

The conventional processing of β-spodumene involves calcination at about 1100 °C, digestion with concentrated sulfuric acid at 250 °C, and several purification stages that identify the process with high energy, feedstock, and by-product intensity. In addition to the low-value by-product of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), the disposal cost of another by-pr...

Muscovite is an indicator mineral helping to elucidate the evolution of pegmatites and evaluate their economic potential for lithium. However, the ability of muscovite to record late-stage hydrothermal alteration of spodumene remains poorly constrained. In the unzoned Bald Hill pegmatite, hosted by Archean metasediments, muscovite is present as cm-...

Heat-treatment of serpentine minerals generates structural amorphicity and increases reactivity during subsequent mineral carbonation, a strategy for large-scale sequestration of CO2. This study employs thermal analyses (TGA-DSC) in conjunction with in-situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) to record concurrent mass loss, heat flow, and m...

GSA Connects 2022 meeting in Denver, Colorado Paper No. 257-8 Presentation Time: 3:40 PM STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABILITY OF LITHIUM EXTRACTION FROM SPODUMENE CHISCHI, J.1, OSKIERSKI, Hans1, NCUBE, T.1, ALHADAD, M.F.1, ABDULLAH, A.1, SENANAYAKE, G.2 and DLUGOGORSKI, B.Z.3, (1)Sustainable Geochemistry and Mineral Sciences, Murdoch University,...

Post-ore alteration of spodumene in LCT pegmatites affects the chemical and mineralogical composition and, consequently, the quality of spodumene ores. However, the mechanism of alteration and the effect on spodumene grade and processing are poorly understood. Here we present the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of spodumene samples of white, grey...

In this study we present the first Mg isotope data that record the fate of Mg during mineralisation of atmospheric CO2 in ultramafic mine tailings. At the Woodsreef Asbestos Mine, New South Wales, Australia, weathering of ultramafic mine waste sequesters significant amounts of CO2 in hydromagnesite [Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O]. Mineralisation of CO2 in ab...

The conventional process of lithium extraction from α-spodumene (LiAlSi 2 O 6) is energy-intensive and associated with high byproduct management cost. Here, we investigate an alternative process route that uses potassium sulfate (K 2 SO 4) to extract lithium while producing leucite (KAlSi 2 O 6), a slow release fertilizer. Presenting the first-ever...

This study investigated the pressure leaching of lithium and other valuable metals from lepidolite using NaOH and Ca(OH)2. The findings showed that NaOH concentration, temperature, and stirring rate are the most significant process parameters. The addition of Ca(OH)2 facilitates the leaching of lithium and minimizes the concentration of silicate an...

This contribution provides a detailed in-situ account of transformation reactions during calcination of a typical high-grade α-spodumene (α-LiAlSi2O6) concentrate, a pre-treatment step required to refine spodumene into commercial lithium chemicals. We observe four reaction pathways during the transition of spodumene, employing in-situ high-temperat...

The Mg-isotope systematics of peridotite weathering and low-temperature carbonation have not yet been thoroughly investigated, despite their potential to provide insights into reaction pathways and mechanisms of lithosphere-hydrosphere transfer of Mg and sequestration of CO2 in carbonate minerals. Here, we present new observations of the evolution...

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are toxic chemical entities emitted invariably from stationary thermal operations when a trace of chlorine content is present. Replacing the high-temperature destruction operations of these...

High-energy materials such as emulsions, slurries and ammonium-nitrate fuel-oil (ANFO) explosives play crucial roles in mining, quarrying, tunnelling and many other infrastructure activities, because of their excellent transport and blasting properties. These explosives engender environmental concerns, due to atmospheric pollution caused by emissio...

Cubic molybdenum nitride (γ-Mo2N) exhibits Pt-like catalytic behaviour in many chemical applications, most notably as a potent catalyst for conversion of harmful NOx gases into N2. Guided by experimental profiles from adsorption of 15NO on γ-Mo214N, we map out plausible mechanisms for the formation of the three isotopologues of dinitrogen (14N2, 15...

The Attunga magnesite deposit is texturally and geochemically distinct from other spatially associated, serpentinite-hosted magnesite deposits in the Great Serpentinite Belt, New South Wales, Australia, such as the hydrothermal Piedmont magnesite deposit or widespread silica–carbonate alteration zones. Cryptocrystalline magnesite at Attunga predomi...

Since closure of the Woodsreef Asbestos Mine, located in the Great Serpentinite Belt (GSB), New South Wales, Australia, extensive carbonate-rich crusts have formed by recessive weathering of fine-grained material on the surface of the tailings pile. A relationship exists between the mode of carbonate occurrence, the mineralogy and the isotopic fing...

Nodular, cryptocrystalline, weathering-derived magnesite deposits in the New England Orogen, Australia, provide a significant source of high-purity magnesite. Common textural features and related isotopic fingerprints indicate a close genetic relationship between weathering-derived magnesite deposits hosted by ultramafic rocks at Attunga and by sed...

Introduction Carbon dioxide sequestration or disposal is an essential component of the international effort to stabilise CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. Of the proposed sequestration schemes, mineral sequestration represents the most geologically stable and environmentally benign method for carbon disposal (Lackner et al. 1995). Mineral carbonatio...

Highly abundant and rich in Mg (RCO2 = 2.46), ultramafic serpentinites of the Great Serpentinite Belt, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, represent one of the best potential feedstocks for ex-situ mineral sequestration. Mineral sequestration mimics natural, exothermic weathering reactions that transform Mg-or Ca-rich silicates into thermodynamically...

In this study the effect of anthropogenic emissions on the lead isotopic composition of sediments from the Potengi-Jundiai river system near the fast growing city of Natal, NE-Brazil, is investigated. The lead isotope signatures of sediments from the region of Natal were measured by ICP QMS and can be discussed in terms of three different end membe...