Li-Co–Ni-Mn-(REE) veins of the Western Erzgebirge, Germany—a potential source of battery raw materials

Abstract Situated in the western Erzgebirge metallogenetic province (Vogtland, Germany), Eichigt prospect is associated with several quartz-Mn-Fe-oxyhydroxide veins that are exposed at surface. Bulk-rock geochemical assays of vein material yield high concentrations Li (0.6–4.1 kg/t), Co (0.6–14.7 and Ni (0.2–2.8 as well significant quantities Mn, Cu, light rare earth elements, a very unusual metal tenor closely resembling mixture raw materials needed for Li-ion battery production. This study reports on results first detailed investigation this rather unique polymetallic mineralization style, including petrographic mineralogical studies complemented by bulk rock geochemistry, electron microprobe analyses, laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The mineralized comprises an oxide assemblage goethite hematite, hollandite, lithiophorite together cement angular fragments quartz. Lithiophorite predominant host (3.6–11.1 (2.5–54.5 (0.2–8.9 kg/t); Cu contained similar amounts hollandite whereas elements (LREE) mainly hosted microcrystalline rhabdophane florencite, which finely intergrown Mn-Fe-oxyhydroxides. 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages (~ 40–34 Ma) coronadite group minerals coincide tectonic activity related to Cenozoic Eger Graben rifting. A low-temperature hydrothermal overprint pre-existing base sulfide-quartz fault structures were reactivated during continental rifting proposed most likely origin oxyhydroxide Eichigt. However, tectonically enhanced deep-reaching fracture-controlled supergene weathering cannot be completely ruled out mineralization.