MIT researchers have developed a low-temperature, acid-free method to extract lithium from hard rock spodumene by dissolving the silicate matrix to release lithium and aluminum, then separating and purifying the products.

Experts from Caltech say the approach could cut capital and infrastructure costs by avoiding large waste-treatment facilities and by leveraging renewable energy due to its low-temperature operation.

The team has founded a spinout, Rock Zero, to pilot demonstrations and advance toward industrial-scale testing, while noting that real-world deployment still needs proof.

If scaled, the technique could address major lithium supply challenges and lower the carbon footprint compared with current mining methods that rely on brine evaporation or hard rock mining.

The process uses ammonium fluoride in a closed-loop system that recycles reagents, potentially reducing waste and eliminating the need for high-temperature roasting and extensive waste treatment.

In testing, the method recovered more than 95% of lithium from 17 different spodumene sources, indicating high efficiency and potential for scalability.