Mineralogists from the Earth Science Institute of the SAS have described a unique occurrence of triphylite
Mineralogists from the Institute of Earth Sciences of the SAS have described a unique occurrence of the mineral triphylite (LiFe²⁺PO₄) at the Dobra site (Stankuvatske, Ukrainian Shield). The mineral was formed by the infiltration of lithium-rich solutions released from pegmatite rock rich in rare elements. This is the first discovery of its kind in the world and helps to understand the processes in the rock that contribute to lithium accumulation – in this case, at the Dobra site, which is being prepared for lithium mining.
“Lithium is currently a strategic raw material; it is extremely important in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and thus helps in the transition from fossil energy to modern energy based on renewable sources,” emphasizes Igor Broska from the Institute of Earth Sciences of the SAS, highlighting the significance of the discovery.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), up to 90% of the world's lithium production comes from Chile, Australia, and China. Due to Europe's independence from these countries, the search for and study of lithium-containing rocks is becoming a key issue.
Research into lithium-rich rocks is also being carried out in Slovakia. Minerals containing lithium are bound to granites of Permian age. In granite pegmatites of core mountain ranges, such as the Malé Karpaty and Považský Inovec, lithium is bound to the mineral muscovite within the feldspar-quartz-mica zone.
"Recently, at the Dobšiná, Malá Vlčia dolina site, we identified granite pegmatites with an increased content of lithium bound to tourmalines," says Igor. The highest lithium content in the Western Carpathians was found in Permian gemerika granites and in zinnwaldite mica from the Hnilca area in the Surovecká dolina. As the scientist explains, the calculation of the lithium content in the rock for microgranite with zinnwaldite from this locality even gives 0.6-0.8 kg Li per m³ of microgranite. "These lithium concentrations may even be economically interesting, given that the micas can be easily separated, and considering the fact that other critical elements, such as indium from cassiterite, can also be obtained from the rock," adds Igor Broska.
Contact: Igor Broska, Institute of Earth Sciences, SAS, geolbros@savba.sk
Source and photo: Institute of Earth Sciences, SAS