rare-metal pegmatite

Rare-metal pegmatites are coarse-grained igneous rocks formed from residual magma enriched in water and rare elements like lithium, beryllium, and niobium. These rocks are characterized by their large crystal sizes, sometimes measuring up to a meter.1

Pegmatites are found globally and are often associated with larger igneous rock bodies. They are a significant source of commercial minerals, including feldspar, mica, and rare-metal minerals such as tantalum and lithium. Additionally, they yield valuable gemstones like tourmaline and beryl. While pegmatites share a similar bulk composition to common igneous rocks, their unique formation process concentrates elements that do not easily integrate into typical granite minerals.21