Where does Lithium come from?

It is believed that lithium deposits are partially-altered by volcanic rocks, which is not 100% true but is considered to be involved in the origin of lithium deposits. The ideal place to build a lithium mine is in areas with low rainfalls and hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rocks where it could drain into a dry lake bed, or playa. The playas must have a high concentration of evaporites to be considered a lithium mining site. However, there must be a source of lithium to be pumped from underground. Here we consider two cases: Silver Peak Lithium mine, NV, and Salar de Atacama, Chile. ​

 

The Silver Peak Lithium mine, located in Clayton Valley, NV, produces one-third of the United States lithium supply. Currently, Cypress Development Corp., a Canadian-based lithium company, owns 100% of the Clayton Valley site. Cypress found what could be world-class lithium-bearing claystones that could possibly transition the site as a fully domestic producer of lithium in the United States.  ​

 

The Salar de Atacama Lithium mine is the world's largest lithium producer and produces one-third of the global lithium output operated by Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) and Rockwood Lithium. Although the exploration and production of lithium have only occurred in the southern part of the salar, the north is interpreted to be the origin of lithium deposits in an area called El Tatio Geyser Field. The geothermal fluids flow via the surface and subsurface and have an identical chemical composition as the salar brines. Due to low annual rainfall and a high rate of evaporation, Atacama possesses the world's highest grade of lithium. ​