Mapping lithium bearing hectorite clay using imaging spectroscopy

Lithium has been designated as a critical mineral by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) due to its importance to the United States economy and over-all risk to supply disruptions [1]. While not currently a major producer of lithium, the United States has significant lithium deposits that could benefit from further investigation [2]. Currently, lithium is primarily extracted from brines of arid sedimentary basins and from granitic pegmatites, but additional potential sources of lithium include lithium-rich clays and zeolites, as well as geothermal and oilfield brines [2]. Remote sensing data enable exploration for and characterization of lithium in clays exposed at the surface, especially hectorite - the most common lithium-bearing clay [2].