Froth flotation for resources extraction from salt lake brine – A review

Salt lake brine, enriched with a variety of valuable chemical elements, is relatively simple and cost-effective for resource supply. Although froth flotation has extensive application in solid minerals separation，it is expected to reposition froth flotation as an important technology in the resource extraction from salt lake brine. Potassium flotation has reached a high level of maturity with many effective reagents and processes, but collectors are required improvement to avoid strong acid and high prepared temperature. The flotation of lithium remains challenging due to the small hydrated radius and high hydration energy of its ions, making the development of highly selective collectors a critical research focus. Rubidium and cesium flotation have a clear trend toward the use of tailored collectors and multi-step processes.The flotation technology, as an important physical and chemical separation method, plays an irreplaceable role in the green separation and high-value utilization of multi-component salts in salt lakes. Through continuous breakthroughs in interface chemical mechanisms and innovative design of reagents, the flotation technology is expected to provide core support for the comprehensive development of strategic resources in salt lakes.