Types, genesis, characteristics and related topics of lithium ore deposits around the world

The geochemical properties of lithium determine the fact that lithium deposits appear in concentrated belts on the earth, are severely unevenly distributed, and have a variety of types. Lithium deposits include both solid endogenous and exogenous deposits, as well as liquid brine deposits. Endogenetic lithium deposits are mainly related to acidic igneous rocks and related magmatic activities, including pegmatite, granite, greisen, volcanic rock and hydrothermal types. The author of this article predicts that in addition to the above-mentioned lithium deposit types that have been discovered, skarn-type, veinlet-dissemination type, potassium feldspar ± sodium feldspar ± fluorite + quartz vein type, and metamorphic rock-type lithium deposits will be discovered in the near future. Exogenous and sedimentary lithium deposits include carbonate-claystone type, claystone type, salt rock type, coal-related type, and Quaternary evaporation salt type, etc. From the macroscopic perspective of global lithium resources, the liquid brine lithium deposits that occupy the majority of lithium resources include both surface salt lake type and Quaternary evaporation salt type visible to our naked eyes, as well as underground brine type and oilfield water type. Most of the lithium deposits known so far are coexistent and/or associated with other rare metals such as Nb, Be, Ta, Ce, Ga, Sc, Th, U, and rare earth metals. Sometimes Sn and/or B may also appear in lithium deposits. There are very few truly independent lithium deposits.