RE: Prem22 Jan 2026 14:36
AI…
“ Installing secondary spodumene flotation cells, which typically function as cleaner or scavenger stages to improve lithium concentrate grade and recovery, often takes a few weeks to several months, depending on whether the project is a retrofit or a new installation.
Retrofit Installation: In cases where specific sections of existing plants are upgraded (such as installing new cleaner cells in a section already in operation), installation can be completed in a few weeks, often coinciding with planned plant maintenance.
New Plant Construction: A full, customized, and designed, installed, and commissioned spodumene flotation section can take up to a year from the signing of the contract to successful trial operation.
Key Factors Influencing Installation Time:
Retrofitting & Upgrades: Installation of new flotation cleaner sections, as seen in projects like Zulu lithium-tantalum in Zimbabwe, involves modifying existing infrastructure and can be relatively fast, with the section operational for, or shortly after, the restart.
Engineering & Procurement: The customized design, delivery, and installation of flotation circuits to handle specific spodumene ore characteristics can require roughly a year.
Logistics & Site Constraints: Overseas transportation and site-specific environmental conditions can affect the timeline of the installation and commissioning phases.
Commissioning: The process of reaching full, stable operation in the cleaner/secondary circuit can take several hours to days after physical installation is completed. ”