Li distribution and mode of occurrences in Li-bearing coal seam # 6 from the Guanbanwusu Mine, Inner Mongolia, northern China

Thirty-six coal bench samples from Coal Seam 6 and 13 parting samples from 5 parting layers were taken from the Guanbanwusu Coal Mine, Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, and the samples were analysed by optical microscopy, A scanning electron microscope in conjunction with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) analysis, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometric (XRF) techniques. The results indicate that the average Li content are 264 ppm in coal and 1320 ppm or 0.28% Li2O in coal ash, indicating a Li ore deposit in coal. XRD analysis indicates that the minerals are kaolinite, boehmite, chlorite-group mineral, quartz, calcite, pyrite, siderite and amorphous clay material. The absorbed Li phases by kaolinite, boehmite and chlorite could be the most likely host model. Li could also be migrated into the peat by isomorphic impurity in chlorite. However, this migration form should not be the main form because chlorite contents are relative low. The total Li reserves reach to 24288 tons, that is, 52045 ton Li2O in this mine. The Yinshan Oldland chould be the most possible source of Li of the coal. The bauxite of the Benxi formation could be another source of Li of the coal in the NE Jungar Coalfield. The bauxite in the NE Jungar Coalfield was originally derived from the Yinshan Oldland.