CANBERRA, July 10 (Xinhua) — Australian scientists are leading research to harness jadarite, a rare mineral originally discovered in Serbia, as a key resource for the transition to clean energy.
Australian scientists are developing advanced methods to extract and process jadarite’s lithium and boron — key materials for batteries and renewable energy, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, announced Thursday.
Jadarite, recognized as a new mineral in 2006, is a sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with a chemical makeup similar to kryptonite. Unlike the green fictional version, jadarite appears dull white and glows pinkish-orange under UV light, said a CSIRO statement.
Its real-world significance, however, lies in its rich lithium content, positioning it as a potential game-changer for the global energy sector, it said.
Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) and the Critical Minerals R&D Hub at CSIRO are leading research on processing jadarite and other lithium minerals to advance next-generation batteries and renewable energy, experts said.
“The Jadar deposit where it was first discovered is considered one of the largest lithium deposits in the world, making it a potential game-changer for the global green energy transition,” said Michael Page, a scientist at ANSTO. ■