BATTERY RECYCLING PROCESS

The present invention relates to a method for the recovery of metals from feed materials containing such metals. More specifically, the present invention relates to the recovery of various metals contained in spent lithium-based (Li-ion) batteries. We describe a method for the recovery of metals from a feed stream containing one or more value metals and lithium. The feed stream may include at least lithium and one or more of copper, iron, aluminium, cobalt and nickel. The method comprises subjecting the feed stream to a sulphuric acid leach to form a slurry including a pregnant leach solution of soluble metal salts and a solid residue; separating the pregnant leach solution and the solid residue; subjecting the pregnant leach solution to one or more separate solvent extraction steps, wherein each solvent extraction step recovers one or more value metals from the pregnant leach solution, the remaining pregnant leach solution comprising lithium; and recovery of lithium from the pregnant leach solution.