Lithium in pegmatites of the Fennoscandian Shield and operation prospects for the Kolmozero deposit on the Kola Peninsula (Russia)

Abstract

The rare metal granite pegmatites are widespread in the Fennoscandian Shield, dominantly in Finland, where lithium-bearing pegmatites are abundant, and some have been mined in the past. In the European part of Russia, lithium-bearing pegmatites are present in Karelia and the Kola Peninsula, however, none of these prospects have been found economically viable for mining. The largest of them, the Kolmozero spodumene-bearing pegmatite deposit, is located in the northeast part of the Kola Peninsula. The Li₂O content in spodumene is 7.1–8.1 wt.-%. A comparison of the Kolmozero deposit with the Greenbushes deposit in Australia indicates that these deposits have several similar characteristics, including the, geometry and composition of the pegmatite veins. In general, geological characteristics of the Kolmozero deposit, significant size of the pegmatite veins and presence of the high-Li₂O grade spodumenes indicate that Kolmozero deposit can potentially contain economically viable lithium resources.