[ $LiCoO_2$ ] a cathode material for lithium rechargeable batteries, was prepared using recycled $Co_3O_4$. First, the cobalt hydroxide powders were separated from waste WC-Co hard metal with acid-base chemical treatment, and then the impurities were eliminated by centrifuge method. Subsequently, $Co_3O_4$ powders were prepared by thermal treatment of resulting $Co(OH)_2$. By adding a certain amount of $Li_2CO_3$ and $LiOH{cdot}H_2O$, the $LiCoO_2$ was obtained by sintering for 10 h in air at $800^{circ}C$. The synthesized $LiCoO_2$ particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis.