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Posted on December 11, 2018 LAST NAME

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Benedikt Steiner (ARSM CGeol EurGeol FHEA) from exploration consultancy XPLORE GLOBAL Ltd, gives us his top 4 ‘need to
know‘ facts about lithium pegmatites. Follow Benedikt’s series HERE. EMAIL

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LCT pegmatite mining in Rwanda. Note the horizontal dimensions of the ore body and strong weathering (image – XPLORE GLOBAL Ltd)

Have you recently entered the lithium and battery metals space? Have you invested in a lithium pegmatite project and are
wondering if your project is superior to those of your competitors?

In light of the recent ‘lithium boom’, I was asked by several interested parties what I consider the most important
aspects in locating lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites and associated tin (Sn) mineralisation. Whilst geological
parameters are the obvious ones to discuss rst, I believe that overall tonnage, geomechanics and mineral processing,
are of equal importance, particularly at early reconnaissance and drilling/ evaluation stages.

The following ‘Quick Tour’ through LCT pegmatites is therefore aimed at potential investors and technical sta new to
the subject.

1. Bulk Tonnage, Geomechanics and Mine Life: A sometimes overlooked rst factor to determine the feasibility
of mining a LCT pegmatite is bulk tonnage and the ability to cheaply mine the ore using open pit equipment and
infrastructure. LCT pegmatites are shallow, zoned and narrow (10-15m) geological bodies (Figure 1) commonly
extending for several kilometres whose full thickness is mined (no selective mining and sampling
recommended).For example, in steep, mountainous terrains, such as Rwanda or the Andes, the excavation of
such bodies will result in slope stability issues and a considerable stripping ratio, i.e. the amount of waste rock
that needs to be moved in order to access the ore. Consequently, unless costly underground excavation is
considered, open pits will be shallow leaving deeper resources untouched whilst reducing the overall mineable
tonnage.
It is therefore not uncommon that single pegmatite bodies are ‘mined out’ within a very short timeframe (less
than three years) leaving mine operators with the task to rapidly locate additional ore to feed the plant.
Accessing areas with shallow, pegmatite swarms (multiple pegmatite dykes) in relatively at areas is therefore
an important attribute in selecting license areas and ensuring a sustainable mining operation and investment.

2. Geology and mineralogy of the pegmatite and related mineral processing aspects: One of the most useful
tools to locate pegmatites is traditional geological mapping and analysis of mineralogy (London, 2018). The
ability to recognise coarse, pegmatitic rock types along with possible zonation in relation to S-type granite
intrusions and surrounding country rock is key.At this early stage it becomes critical to conduct mineralogical
investigations (e.g. XRD or petrography) in order to i.) identify key lithium-bearing minerals, such as spodumene,
eucryptite (secondary alteration mineral of spodumene, potentially not recoverable), lepidolite, zinnwaldite or
petalite, ii.) quantify the purity/ contamination of the ore by deleterious elements (F, Fe, P) and iii.) determine
potential recovery and processing methods, such as conventional otation, gravity or magnetic separation
technologies.
This is of importance as, usually, it is challenging to visually identify and distinguish these minerals from
common rock-forming minerals and to inform the investor community of the cost of producing lithium
concentrate. In addition, it is absolutely essential to report lithium grades (see 3.) along with a speci cation of
the nature of lithium minerals present in the deposit. This becomes even more important when minerals with
industrial applications are considered (Clause 49, JORC 2012 Edition).

(Portable) XRF is unable to detect light elements such as lithium. However, tantalum, tin and other path nder elements can be detected
with ease. This allows a fast and cost-e ective exploration and grade control approach when working in pegmatite territory. (image –
XPLORE GLOBAL Ltd)

3. Sampling and Geochemistry: Large bulk samples obtained from large diameter core or reverse circulation (RC)
drillholes or test pits are required as pegmatite minerals are very coarse and representative sampling needs to
be ensured throughout the programme. Furthermore, potentially economic accessory minerals, such as coltan
or cassiterite (tin), are commonly nuggety and irregularly distributed within the ore body, hence requiring larger
samples to avoid the ‘nugget e ect’.Bulk samples, particularly obtained from RC drilling, also provide enough
material for early metallurgical characterisation and test work. In regional exploration as well as detailed drilling
programmes the choice of analytical method will be signi cant. Lithium is a ‘light’ element and therefore cannot
be detected using (portable) XRF (Figure 2), however, path nders can be analysed with ease and can indicate
2
prospective areas at regional (several 100s or 1000s km ) scale, if sampled appropriately (Steiner, 2018).
Samples are recommended to be analysed using sodium peroxide fusion with an ICP-MS nish at accredited
laboratories in order to accurately measure resistant accessory minerals such as columbite-tantalite (coltan)
and cassiterite (tin) which can be economic accessory minerals.
4. Geophysics: unlike other base metal commodities, lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatites often have very weak
magnetic or conductivity properties and therefore cannot be distinguished from adjacent S-type granites or
sediments, unless there is a stark contrast in these physical properties.Due to the narrow shape of pegmatites
ground-based geophysical surveys at commonly short, i.e. 25-50m, line spacings are required, if deemed useful
in a particular area.

Further reading:

Steiner, B. (2019). Sn-W and Li-Cs-Ta geochemical signatures in I-type granites – a case study from the Vosges
Mountains, NE France. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, in press.

London, D. (2018). Ore-forming processes within granitic pegmatites. Ore Geology Reviews, 101, 349-383.

Steiner, B. (2018). Using TELLUS stream sediment geochemistry to ngerprint regional geology and mineralisation
systems in Southeast Ireland. Irish Journal of Earth Sciences, 36, 1-17.

Benedikt Steiner (ARSM CGeol EurGeol FHEA) is the MSc Programme Director of Mining
and Exploration Geology at the Camborne School of Mines, UK, and consultant to the
mining industry through his consultancy rm XPLORE GLOBAL Ltd.

MiningIR.com hosts a variety of articles from a range of sources, our content, while interesting, should not be considered as
formal nancial advice. Always seek professional guidance and consult a range of sources before investing.

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