A major lithium discovery has been confirmed in Maerkang, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province.
Source: China News Service
A major lithium discovery has been confirmed in Maerkang, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The Dangba Lithium Mine has officially been registered with China’s Ministry of Natural Resources following a mineral resource reserve assessment. The newly identified lithium oxide reserves total 440,000 tons, bringing the mine’s total proven reserves to 1.12 million tons. This marks the first lithium pegmatite deposit in Sichuan to exceed one million tons in reserves and makes it the largest proven lithium pegmatite deposit in Asia to date.
Exploration of the Dangba mining area began in 2011 when the Sichuan Institute of Comprehensive Geological Survey incorporated the site's mining and exploration rights into an integrated survey plan. Using a combination of geophysical, geochemical, and remote sensing methods, along with mineralogical and geochemical studies, researchers conducted an in-depth analysis of the area's mineralization conditions and ore enrichment patterns. Their findings were further validated through drilling and other geological engineering techniques.
"The ore veins resemble a 'narrow ribbon' extending irregularly from the surface deep into the Earth's crust," explained Cai Yunhua, a senior geological engineer and field project leader.
The exploration team faced significant challenges due to the area's rugged terrain, with an elevation difference of 2,200 meters. They drilled more than 140 boreholes, totaling over 40,000 meters in depth. "Ultimately, we identified 11 lithium ore bodies, with a primary ore body accounting for over 80% of the total reserves," said Cai. By employing innovative green exploration technologies, the team overcame key technical challenges and significantly improved survey efficiency. After more than a decade of work, the Dangba mining area has achieved three major breakthroughs in lithium exploration, with total proven lithium oxide reserves now exceeding 1.12 million tons.
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