New extraction tech puts focus on Petalite for future lithium supply

Petalite, a lesser-known lithium aluminum phyllosilicate mineral, is gaining attention as a strategic alternative source of lithium to meet the rapidly growing global demand driven by electrification and renewable energy expansion. While spodumene currently dominates lithium supply due to its high concentration and established processing methods, petalite offers unique industrial advantages such as hardness and heat resistance, making it valuable for heat- and scratch-resistant glass and ceramics. Significant petalite deposits exist in regions including Africa, the Americas, and Western Australia. However, extracting lithium from petalite is more complex, requiring higher heat and pressure to access the lithium content. Australian researchers at CSIRO have developed a novel extraction technology called LithSonic, funded by Australia’s Critical Minerals R&D Hub, which builds on earlier MagSonic technology. LithSonic addresses the key challenge of lithium’s extreme reactivity at high temperatures by employing supersonic flow and shock quenching to rapidly cool lithium vapor, stabilizing lithium metal before it can revert to