Canberra, July 10 (UNI) 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 Organisation (CSIRO), Australia’s national science agency, announced today.
Jadarite, recognised 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 Organisation (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.
