INGEMMET IDENTIFIES LITHIUM PROSPECTING AREAS FOR VERY HIGH TO MEDIUM CLASS IN SOUTHERN PERU
The Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (INGEMMET) determined Puno and Cusco regions as very high to medium class Lithium (Li) prospecting areas, with the development of the “GE34A-5 Evaluation of the Potential of Lithium in central and northern Peru" and the “GE34A-6 Evaluation of the Potential of Lithium in southern Peru” projects. Thus, in these areas lithium potential are recognized in salt flats, brines and rocks.
The classification of the prospecting areas is based on the quality, which consists of different indicators. For instance, geological, geochemical, mineralogical, petrographic and other types of diagrams refer to lithium deposits. Despite the fact that Peru currently does not exploit this resource and whose value would reach 11 thousand dollars per ton; research from Ingemmet shows high potential lithium presence in our territory.
In this regard, studies have determined that in southern Peru there are very high to medium class prospecting areas, most of them in volcanic geological environments. Then, metamorphic and intrusive environments are also recognized. Likewise, lithium values in volcanic environments are between 100 and 3070 parts per million (ppm); while in metamorphic environments they are between 102 to 1096 ppm.
The researchers affirm 328 samples have been taken in Ica, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, Arequipa, Cusco, Puno, Moquegua and Tacna. From them, 316 results of geochemical analysis of rock were obtained, then, three in sediments and nine in water were found. Besides, three samples reported values of 1096, 2815 and 3070 ppm of Li (1 in Cusco and 2 in Puno); two samples with values of 747 and 665 ppm of Li (Puno) and six samples with values between 267 and 485 ppm of Li (4 in Puno and 2 in Cusco).
Concerning regional prospecting in central and northern Peru, low to very low class prospecting areas were determined in Tumbes, Piura, Ancash and Cajamarca. This way, values between 98 to 140 ppm were found in sedimentary, volcanic and intrusive environments. They all are still areas of interest.
In this context, 174 samples from Junín, Pasco, Huánuco, Lima, Ancash, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Piura and Tumbes regions were analyzed. In addition, 163 results of geochemical analysis of rock were obtained: nine in sediments and two in evaporates. Next, four samples report values of 98, 100, 132 and 140 ppm: Tumbes (1), Ancash (1), Piura (1) and Cajamarca (1); seven samples report values between 200 and 310 ppm of Rb (rubidium), guiding element of Li: Ancash (2), Huánuco (2), Junín (1) and also on the border between Amazonas-Cajamarca (2).
Therefore, with these studies, Ingemmet seeks to promote mining investment for economic reactivation. In turn, it promotes the sustainable use of resources such as Lithium, also known as "white gold" for being considered a strategic mineral. It is thus called because of its using on several fields of emerging trends, such as electronics, automotive, telecommunications and other industries.
For people who are interested in getting more information, the results are available on the Geocatmin platform, in the next link: https://geocatmin.ingemmet.gob.pe/geocatmin/ , just click on the “Roca Mineral Industrial” layer and then on “Lithium”sublayer.
Vía Gob.pe
