Lithium Flotation Recovery & Mass Balance Calculator
Work out lithium (Li₂O) flotation recovery, concentrate yield, upgrade ratio and tailings loss from either three grades or measured feed and concentrate tonnes — with contained Li and theoretical LCE.
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Calculated results
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- Enter feed and concentrate Li₂O grades.
LCE is a theoretical stoichiometric equivalent, not saleable carbonate or plant production.
Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the feed and concentrate Li₂O grades (all in the same unit).
- Add EITHER the tailings grade, OR the feed and concentrate dry tonnes — the tool balances whichever set you give it.
- Read Li₂O recovery, concentrate yield (mass pull), upgrade ratio and the contained Li₂O / Li / theoretical LCE.
How it works
Lithium flotation recovery uses the same two-product balance as any concentrator: from grades alone, mass pull Y = (f − t)/(c − t) and Li₂O recovery R = Y·c/f, where f, c and t are the feed, concentrate and tailings Li₂O grades. From measured tonnes, recovery is simply the contained Li₂O in the concentrate divided by the contained Li₂O in the feed, and the tailings grade is back-calculated from the balance.
Contained lithium is reported three ways using fixed stoichiometric factors: elemental Li = Li₂O × 0.4645403 and theoretical LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent) = Li₂O × 2.4729074. LCE here is a theoretical chemical equivalent for comparison only — it is not saleable carbonate, plant yield or a payability figure.
Worked example
1,000 t of feed at 1.2% Li₂O producing 150 t at 6.0% Li₂O. Contained Li₂O in feed = 1,000 × 1.2% = 12.0 t; in concentrate = 150 × 6.0% = 9.0 t. Recovery = 9.0 / 12.0 = 75.0%. Concentrate yield = 150 / 1,000 = 15.0%; upgrade = 6.0 / 1.2 = 5.0×; the balancing tailings grade is (12.0 − 9.0) / 850 = 0.352941% Li₂O.
Common mistakes
- Mixing grade units — enter feed, concentrate and tailings all in % (or all in ppm), never a mixture.
- Treating LCE as production. LCE is a theoretical equivalent for comparing deposits, not tonnes of saleable carbonate.
- Using wet tonnes without stating a moisture basis — convert to dry tonnes first (see the Concentrate Moisture tool).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need tonnages, or are grades enough?
Grades alone (feed, concentrate and tailings) give recovery, yield and upgrade via the two-product formula. Add tonnes only when you want contained-metal tonnes or a measured cross-check.
Is this different from the generic Metal Recovery calculator?
The maths is the same two-product balance, but this page is lithium-specific: it works in Li₂O and reports contained Li and theoretical LCE. Use Metal Recovery for a general analyte.
What atomic weights are used for LCE?
Conventional values Li 6.94, O 15.999, C 12.011, giving Li₂O → LCE = 2.4729074 and Li₂O → Li = 0.4645403. The Lithium/Li₂O/LCE converter shows every factor.
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Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Lithium Flotation Recovery & Mass Balance Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/lithium-flotation-recovery-calculator/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
All calculations run in your browser. Your inputs are never saved or transmitted.