Speaker: Dr. Kathryn Goodenough, Principal Geologist at the British Geological Survey

Lithium deposits in the Earth’s crust come in three main forms – pegmatites, brines, and sediment-hosted deposits – and this talk will focus on pegmatites. Lithium pegmatites are igneous rocks, formed by crystallisation of unusual rare metal-rich magmas, but many aspects of their genesis continue to be debated, with significant implications for global exploration. The talk will discuss the different models for genesis of lithium pegmatites, and also how mineralisation evolves through the magmatic-hydrothermal transition as the pegmatite crystallises. Focusing on examples from Africa, it will also summarise ongoing exploration efforts and development of supply chains.