Global energy transition from fossil energy sources towards electrification will increase the demand for lithium mining during the next decades due to its use for batteries in electric vehicles and in energy storage. Lithium extraction from minerals, primarily hard rock spodumene will be increasingly important as well. Reducing environmental impacts while maintaining cost competitiveness is crucial for operators in the production of battery-grade lithium compounds. This presentation is discussing key advancements in Metso's alkaline leaching technologies for spodumene and a variety of other lithium minerals. The Metso alkaline lithium extraction processes have an advantage of providing a direct route to lithium carbonate production from mineral feedstocks as a very attractive, low-cost alternative. The patented hydrometallurgical lithium process has been demonstrated in pilot scale and the first reference plants are under construction for lithium hydroxide monohydrate production. The case example of Sibanye-Stillwater's Keliber lithium project is presented to support the commercialisation of the processing concept. Metso has developed and commercialised the alkaline/soda leaching process for lithium extraction from hard rock spodumene. additionally, a novel hydrometallurgical concept for processing non- spodumene lithium feedstocks, building on the existing Metso alkaline/soda leaching process. The alkaline leaching realises a sulfate-free, more sustainable, and efficient lithium extraction process. The alkaline leach process has certain benefits such as selectivity for lithium dissolving only limited amounts of impurities and consequently, less downstream purification stages are required. Since the processes do not require sulfuric acid for leaching nor sodium chemicals for conversion the process does not produce sodium sulfate as a byproduct. In particular, the lithium carbonate production options are based on industry standard route downstream of the main alkaline lithium extraction step. The process through bicarbonation > decarbonation by recycled carbon dioxide, allows lithium solubilisation and mineral residue separation. Total plant lithium recoveries are typically resulting in high levels around ~90 per cent and the production of lithium carbonate or hydroxide products are fulfilling the battery grade specifications. The case example of Keliber lithium project is based on several deposits and future mine sites and the concentrator plant in Kaustinen area and the lithium refinery in Kokkola, Finland. The entire process chain is under construction from the spodumene ore mining to the production of battery- grade lithium hydroxide. The lithium refinery in this project is based on the Metso's Soda pressure leaching technology, which will help minimise negative environmental effects of production and allowing for side stream optimisations. Key considerations and learning experiences of the refinery project are presented concerning the project planning, permitting, and construction. Keliber Lithium Refinery is cold commissioning, ongoing in H2 2025 and scheduled for hot commissioning which will follow during H1 2026 utilising their own spodumene concentrate.