Lithium in Maine Publication Released
The Maine Geological Survey is pleased to announce the publication of an informational circular entitled “Lithium in Maine,” by Henry N. Berry IV, Senior Geologist at the Maine Geological Survey (MGS). Lithium is designated as a critical mineral resource by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Lithium is vital to battery technology as part of the energy transition away from fossil fuels. The recent discovery of a world-class lithium occurrence in a spodumene-bearing granitic pegmatite in western Maine attracted the interest of the U.S. Geological Survey who partnered with the MGS to investigate the geology and lithium resource potential of the area. This circular describes what lithium is, its geologic setting in rocks and minerals of Maine, and provides links to further information.
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Crystal structure of the mineral spodumene showing the arrangements of lithium atoms (Li) in the aluminosilicate (Al-Si-O) framework. Spodumene is a lithium-bearing mineral found in certain rocks in Maine. (Source: https://www.mindat.org/min-3733.html )
 A large, single crystal of spodumene from the Plumbago North pegmatite, Newry, Maine. The flat sides are crystal growth faces in the characteristic long (prismatic) shape. This specimen weighs 48.8 pounds. Theoretically, it would contain approximately 1.8 pounds of lithium (Li) if it could be extracted from the crystal structure. (Maine Geological Survey photo)
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