Researchers Discover Lithium Hidden in Pyrite from Ancient Shale Rocks

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:09:00 +0200

Researchers from West Virginia University have made an unexpected discovery that could reshape the way we source lithium, a critical element for modern batteries. Analyzing middle-Devonian shale samples from the Appalachian basin—formed nearly 380 million years ago—the team found that pyrite (commonly called 'fool’s gold') can contain significant amounts of lithium. This association is surprising since lithium was not previously known to occur in sulfur-rich minerals like pyrite. The research, led by doctoral student Shailee Bhattacharya and Professor Shikha Sharma of the IsoBioGeM Lab, suggests that ancient shale deposits could hold a previously unrecognized reservoir of lithium. Traditionally, lithium is mined from igneous rocks and saline brines, but both methods have high environmental and economic costs. The new findings raise the possibility of recovering lithium from existing geological formations or even from industrial waste materials, reducing the need for new mining operatio