1. Where are the rare metals found?
Economic concentrations of lithium are found in brines, minerals and clays in various parts of the world. Brines and high-grade lithium ores are the present source for all commercial lithium production. The largest known deposits of lithium are in Bolivia and Chile.
2. In what form are these metals found?
Due to its high reactivity lithium is not found in its native state. It’s main sources are igneous rocks and brine. The main igneous rocks used as sources of lithium are:
3. How are the metals bonded to other elements?
4. Are the rare earth elements useful in scientific research?
Lithium is important as a treatment for mental illnesses including manic depression (commonly known as bipolar disorder). It is also an important component in batteries, including those used in electric cars.
5. In which minerals do rare earth elements occur?
Lithium in its pure form does not occur naturally on Earth. It is a soft, silver white metal. Lithium reacts with oxygen from the air to form lithium oxide (Li2O). It therefore has to be stored under the cover of oil to stop this oxidation reaction occurring.
6. In which type of rock do these minerals occur?
7. In which kinds of geological environment are these rocks containing the rare earth metals found?
Economic concentrations of lithium are found in brines, minerals and clays in various parts of the world. Brines and high-grade lithium ores are the present source for all commercial lithium production. The largest known deposits of lithium are in Bolivia and Chile.
2. In what form are these metals found?
Due to its high reactivity lithium is not found in its native state. It’s main sources are igneous rocks and brine. The main igneous rocks used as sources of lithium are:
- Spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) – The most abundant and important of the lithium containing ores. Found in North America, Brazil, USSR, Spain, Africa, and Argentina.
- Lepidolite (K2Li3Al4Si7O21(OH,F)3) – Found in Canada and Africa.
- Petalite (LiAlSi4O10) – Found in Africa and Sweden.
- Amblygonite LiAl(F,OH)PO)4 - not a common source of lithium Lithium is also extracted from brine by evaporation. Places where this occurs include Searles Lake (California, USA) and Clayton Valley (Nevada, USA)
3. How are the metals bonded to other elements?
4. Are the rare earth elements useful in scientific research?
Lithium is important as a treatment for mental illnesses including manic depression (commonly known as bipolar disorder). It is also an important component in batteries, including those used in electric cars.
5. In which minerals do rare earth elements occur?
Lithium in its pure form does not occur naturally on Earth. It is a soft, silver white metal. Lithium reacts with oxygen from the air to form lithium oxide (Li2O). It therefore has to be stored under the cover of oil to stop this oxidation reaction occurring.
6. In which type of rock do these minerals occur?
7. In which kinds of geological environment are these rocks containing the rare earth metals found?