MIT researchers found a way to get lithium out of hard rock without the massive energy bill

MIT researchers and partners unveiled a lower-energy lithium extraction method for hard-rock spodumene ore.

The Science study uses ammonium fluoride at about 70 C, replacing the usual high-temperature roasting step.

The process separates lithium, silicon, and aluminum into different streams and recycles some reagents in a closed loop.

It can yield battery-useful lithium compounds plus saleable silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide byproducts.

The team estimates processing costs could fall from about $9,000 to just over $5,000 per tonne of lithium.