A Buyer’s Guide to Elemental Analysis Instrumentation for Unearthing Battery Minerals

Importance of the topic

The rapid growth in lithium-ion batteries driven by electric vehicles and renewable energy has placed unprecedented demand on lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese supplies. Precise elemental analysis underpins resource discovery, extraction efficiency and environmental stewardship in the battery minerals sector.

Aims and overview of the document

This buyer’s guide presents analytical workflows and instrumentation choices for mining sites and central laboratories supporting exploration, processing and monitoring of battery-critical minerals. Key sections cover sampling, sample preparation, method comparisons, and practical guidance on selecting atomic spectroscopy systems.

Methodology and instrumentation

The principal techniques reviewed include:

• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for rapid non-destructive screening of major and trace elements
• Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for focused determination of around 60 elements at moderate throughput
• Microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) for cost-effective multi-element analysis using nitrogen
• Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for high throughput quantification from ppm to percent levels
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for ultratrace detection down to parts-per-trillion

Instrument selection criteria include sample throughput, power and gas needs, robustness to dust and temperature extremes, ease of use, maintenance requirements and availability of technical support.

Main findings and discussion

Onsite laboratory challenges at remote mine sites—limited utilities, supply logistics and harsh environments—dictate instrument choice. Agilent FAAS offers low capital cost and simplicity but requires flammable gases and cannot run unattended. MP-AES eliminates specialty gases and supports unattended operation. ICP-OES provides simultaneous multi-element analysis with high throughput, built-in dust filtration and smart diagnostics. ICP-MS achieves the lowest detection limits for trace and rare earth elements but demands skilled operators and controlled conditions. Accessories such as switching valves, autosamplers and dust filters enhance performance, reduce waste and extend component life.

Benefits and practical applications

The reviewed methods enable:

• Rapid evaluation of mineralogy and metallurgical recoveries to guide exploration and processing
• Accurate quantification of battery-critical elements at all beneficiation stages
• Environmental monitoring of water, soil and air to ensure regulatory compliance
• Flexible operations with unattended measurement and remote technical support
• Optimized throughput and cost-per-sample by aligning instrument features with workflow demands

Future trends and potential applications

Emerging portable and miniaturized atomic spectroscopy systems will support field measurements, while integration of AI and machine learning will enable automated method development and real-time data interpretation. Enhanced automation in sample preparation and high-throughput workflows will accelerate exploration cycles. Advances in plasma sources and collision cell designs will push detection limits lower, facilitating detailed trace impurity and rare earth element profiling.

Conclusion

Robust and tailored elemental analysis strategies are critical for unlocking battery mineral resources and ensuring sustainable development. By matching sensitivity, throughput and operational resilience to site needs, laboratories can deliver the data required to meet growing battery demand. Agilent’s suite of atomic spectroscopy platforms offers adaptable solutions for both remote and centralized analytical environments.

References

• Ebensperger G et al. Global distribution and production of lithium resources. Journal of Mining Science, 2005.
• ASKCI and Markets and Markets. Global Lithium Ion Battery Market Forecast to 2025.
• CCID. Electric Vehicle Impact on Global Battery Demand, 2020.
• U.S. Geological Survey. Mineral Commodity Summaries: Lithium, January 2023.