GREENPEG – exploration for pegmatite minerals to feed the energy transition: first steps towards the Green Stone Age

Abstract The GREENPEG project, which is funded by the European Commission Horizon 2020 ‘Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials’ programme, aims to develop multimethod exploration toolsets for identification of European, buried, small-scale (0.01–5 million m 3 ) pegmatite ore deposits Nb–Y–F (NYF) Li–Cs–Ta (LCT) chemical types. project being coordinated Natural History Museum University Oslo involves four services/mining operators, one geological survey, non-profit helix association administration, industry academia, two consulting companies five academic institutions from eight countries. target materials are Li, high-purity quartz silica metallic Si, ceramic feldspar, rare earth elements, Ta, Be Cs, naturally concentrated in granitic pegmatites. Silicon Li most sought-after green technology metals as they essential photovoltaics Li-ion batteries electric cars, respectively. will change focus strategies large-volume towards small-volume, high-quality ores overcome lack technologies developing tailored these This contribution focuses on methods applied such provides a potential pathway ‘Green Stone Age’ perspective pegmatite-sourced minerals.