We report detailed behaviour of low energy ⁸Li implanted near the surface of α- Al₂O₃ single crystal, as revealed by beta-detected NQR of ⁸Li. We find that the implanted ⁸Li occupies at least two sites with non-cubic symmetry in the Al₂O₃ lattice. In both sites the ⁸Li experiences axially symmetric electric field gradient, with the main principal axis along the c-crystallographic direction. The temperature and field dependence of the spin lattice relaxation of ⁸Li in α-Al₂O₃, indicate that the ⁸Li diffusion is negligible on the scale of its lifetime, 1.21 s.