Pyrite, also called “fool’s gold” due to its golden color and sparkling shine, is a crystal that symbolizes abundance, confidence and protection. The name pyrite derives from the Greek term “pyr”, which means fire. Due to its similarity to gold, it is often confused with the precious metal.
However, a recent discovery could change the way we view pyrite. According to information from Mega Curioso and IFLScience, pyrite may be more valuable than previously thought.
The Surprising Richness of Pyrite
An analysis carried out on a sample of pyrite in the United States revealed that the crystal contained a significant amount of lithium, a chemical element crucial for the manufacture of batteries.
Shailee Bhattacharya, a sedimentary geochemist who works with Professor Shikha Sharma at West Virginia University’s IsoBioGeM Laboratory, said this is the first time pyrite has been linked to lithium. Their research began with 15 rock samples collected from the Appalachian basin in the United States.
Analysis showed a surprisingly high amount of lithium in the pyrite minerals. “We are now trying to understand how lithium and pyrite can be associated,” said Bhattacharya. The findings will be presented at the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) in 2024.
The Implications of the Discovery
The discovery of lithium in pyrite could pave the way for a new way of extracting lithium. Pyrite minerals found in shale could be a good source of lithium, which could boost battery production.
However, it is still too early to celebrate. Researchers need to investigate whether this characteristic is exclusive to pyrites in that region or whether it is a general property of pyrites. Still, the outlook is promising and could represent new, more sustainable energy sources in the future.
Hannah Ritchie, a data scientist at the University of Oxford, points out in a text titled “Does the world have enough lithium to move to electric vehicles?” that we currently produce around 100 thousand tons of lithium per year. The estimate is that, by 2030, it will be necessary to produce 5 times more to meet demand.
Bhattacharya and Sharma state in their article that although the primary ores of lithium are well understood, it would be interesting to identify additional sources of the element that can be exploited safely and economically. Using materials from previous industrial operations, such as mine tailings or drill cuttings, as an additional source would be beneficial as it would generate little or no new waste material.
