Abstract: Using lithium ore from Gajika in Sichuan Province as research object to separate the lithium concentrate by flotation.The effects of adding order,action time and dosage of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate,which are the regulators in the lithium flotation,are mainly investigated.Adding sodium carbonate before sodium hydroxide,the Li₂O grade of lithium concentrates are improved significantly.Properly extending the action time of sodium hydroxide,the Li₂O recovery of lithium concentrate are effectively increased.The high dosage of sodium carbonate depressed the floatability of spodumene.The high dosage of sodium hydroxide decreased the selectivity of spodumene collectors.The ore via two roughing three cleaning one scavenging closed circuit flotation process,lithium concentrate with Li₂O grade of4.48% and recovery of 87.76% can be obtained.

Key words: Spodumene, Flotation, Regulator, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium carbonate