Lithium Exploration Potential of Pakistan: A Concept Note

Pakistan hosts diverse mineral domains with notable potential for lithium (Li) occurrences across multiple geological settings. In the northern regions, Li-bearing pegmatites and feldspar-rich granites are widespread, particularly along the Himalayan pegmatite belt that extends from Afghanistan through Pakistan to Bhutan. Two prominent sub-belts, Nuristan and Hindukush, contain rare-metal pegmatites associated with two-mica granites enriched in Li, Ta, Nb, Be, Sn, and Cs. In the Hindukush, the Garam Chashma and Miniki Gol granites are comparable to the Laghman Intrusive Complex in Afghanistan, showing significant Li enrichment (27.5–469 ppm) in non-pegmatitic samples and elevated concentrations of Be, Cs, Nb, and Ta.

To the east, pegmatites hosting Li-tourmaline (Elbaite) and Lepidolite occur in areas such as Shengus, Braldu, Haramosh, Kashmal, and Shigar valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Neelum, Muzaffarabad, and Kara valleys of Kashmir. Additional pathfinder minerals including pollucite, cleavelandite, aquamarine, beryllonite, and columbite in the Shigar and Rondu districts further support the Li-fertility of these pegmatites. Geochemical signatures of Shigar pegmatites—enriched in F, Rb, and Nb but depleted in Mg, Ti, Ba, Fe, Sr, and Zr—indicate advanced fractionation and lithium enrichment.

Two-mica granites of the Peshawar Plain Alkaline Igneous Province (PPAIP) also warrant exploration for Li-bearing pegmatites. Beyond hard rock deposits, the presence of lithium-rich hectorite in the clay formations of the Salt Range and potential lithium brines in closed-basin lakes such as Hamun-i-Lora, Hamun-i-Mushkhel, and the Rann of Kach highlight Pakistan’s multifaceted lithium resource potential.