EDWARD S. SIMPSON, B.E., F.C.S. : 
Lithium minerals are almost invariably associated with 
granitic rocks and are concentrated in the pegmatite veins 
associated with them. They are frequently accompanied 
by tin ore. The commonest lithia mineral is lepidolite 
(lithia mica). Zinnwaldite (lithia-iron mica), spodumene 
(lithia jade) and amblygonite (a fluophosphate of lithium 
and aluminium) are less common minerals comparatively 
rich in lithium. Smaller quantities of lithium occur in other 
micas, and in some varieties of tourmaline, as well as in 
several rarer minerals Lithium is detectable in traces in 
most granites, the average quantity present being about 
one part in ten thousand, or, in other words, about three 
ounces to the ton of rock. It is also present in minute 
quantities in almost all natural w aters. 
Of these minerals the following are found in the State : — 
Lepidolite. — Wodgina, Stannum, Poonah, Ubini, 
Londonderry, Cocanarup, Ravensthorpe. 
Spodumene. — Ravensthorpe. 
Amblygonite. — Ubini, Ravensthorpe. 
Lithia Tourmaline. — Ravensthorpe, Simon’s Hill, 
Greenbushes. 
Lithia Biotite. — l'bini.* 
The proportions of the metal present in these minerals are 
naturally very variable, the few exact figures available being 
shown in Table 1 1 . 
Lithium minerals in this State are found almost if not 
quite entirely round the outskirts of intrusive granite masses, 
where they are concentrated in pegmatite veins usually in 
association with large quantities of soda felspar (albite) and 
at times with ores of tin and tantalum. 
Metallic lithium has no practical application at pre- 
sent, but some of its compounds are commercial products, 
being used in medicine, in the aerated water trade, and in 
charging Edison's latest storage battery. So far as our 
information goes, Western Australia is well endowed with 
lihtium minerals and could supply the market with them in 
case of present sources of supply becoming depleted. 
* E. S. Simpson: " A Peculiar Biotite (Anomite) from Ubini.” 
Geol. Sun . W.A. Bulletin 48. 
