Key points
- In researching lithium and other rare earth-hosting minerals, we've identified amblygonite as a mineral to study.
- Amblygonite is a fluorophosphate mineral and an important source of lithium, phosphorous and fluorine.
- Our research will help us understand changes in the abundance of amblygonite in different geological settings.
As the world transitions to more sustainable technologies, there is a growing need to find the metals that help make those technologies. These include critical minerals and rare earth elements (REE).
Critical minerals and REE are vital for numerous high-tech applications, including electronics, magnets and batteries. Lithium (Li), a critical mineral, is both lightweight and energy dense. This makes it ideal for rechargeable batteries.
Naina Goswami is a Research Projects Officer. She works across different research platforms looking at lithium and REE-hosting minerals.
Naina focuses on expanding our knowledge of these important minerals and elements, so we can develop more efficient and streamlined critical metal discovery practices for the future.
Understanding lithium mineral systems
Naina is currently studying the fluorophosphate mineral amblygonite. Amblygonite is an important source of lithium, phosphorous and fluorine.
“We can find amblygonite in pegmatites which are coarse igneous rocks. Studying it will strengthen our understanding of lithium mineral systems and help us identify phases of lithium deportment – the way it moves within the pegmatites,” Naina says.
“Importantly, knowing the distribution and chemistry of amblygonite is crucial to improving lithium extraction processes.”
A bit too soft for jewellery, but still highly prized
“At first glance, it can sometimes be mistaken for albite or other minerals from the feldspar group due to its white colour,” Naina says.
“Even though it’s a bit too soft, it’s sometimes used as a gemstone, when it can be found in some of its other pretty colours. These include blue, green, yellow and pink and even lilac.”
Amblygonite however is mostly used to help us understand ore-forming systems and geological settings.
A mineral of interest in lithium exploration
In light of our work in lithium exploration, amblygonite has been identified as a mineral of interest.
“With some of my colleagues, I’m investigating the crystal structure, composition, and spectral features of amblygonite,” Naina says.
“The results will improve our understanding of the chemistry of amblygonite and why there are changes in abundance of amblygonite in different geological settings.”
Techniques used by Naina and her colleagues to study minerals such as amblygonite include X-ray diffraction and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. These are great techniques because they don’t damage the original sample.
The data collected by Naina and her colleagues contributes to our in-house spectral libraries and is used rigorously in mineral exploration.