A dried-up salt lake.

The Mahai Salt Lake is a medium- to large-sized potash deposit in which solids and liquids are present in five layers of potassium brine, one submerged layer, and four confined brine layers.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Potash (Potassium)

Mineral List

19 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

ⓘ Clay

ⓘ Mudstone

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Cui, Zihao, Zhao, Yanjun, Zhang, Yumeng, Liu, Jingjing, Hu, Yufei, Hu, Shengzhong, Wang, Qiang (2024) Experimental Study of Lithium Extraction in the Solid-Liquid Conversion of Low-Grade Solid Potash Ore. Minerals, 14 (1) doi:10.3390/min14010116

ⓘ Anhydrite

Formula: CaSO₄

References:

Zhao, Yanjun, Wang, Nan, Shen, Lijian, Li, Ruiqin, Liu, Chenglin, Jiao, Pengcheng, Hu, Yufei, Zhao, Xianfu (2024) Contribution of deep material sources to shallow potash formation of the Quaternary Mahai Salt Lake in the Qaidam Basin: Evidence from isotopes and trace elements. Ore Geology Reviews, 171. 106166 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106166

ⓘ Aragonite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

Liu, Zhikang; Cheng, Yuanyuan; Ma, Yuliang; Pan, Tong; Li, Zhengyan; Deng, Li; He, Maoyong; Luo, Jiaxin; Rao, Huihui; Wen, Jing; et al. (2026) Different phase lithium isotopic geochemistry of clay minerals in Qinghai-Tibet plateau lithium-rich salt lakes: implications for lithium enrichment mechanisms and resource potential. Ore Geology Reviews, 193. p.107317. doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2026.107317

ⓘ Bischofite

Formula: MgCl₂ · 6H₂O

References:

Xiyu Zheng (1994): Journal of Lake Sciences 6(3), 267-275

ⓘ Blödite

Formula: Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O

References:

Mianping Zheng (1997): An Introduction to Saline Lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Kluwer Academic Publishers (Dordrecht, NL), 319 pp.

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

ⓘ Carnallite

Formula: KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O

References:

Xiyu Zheng (1994): Journal of Lake Sciences 6(3), 267-275

Tan Hongbing, Ma Haizhou, Xiao Yingkai, Wei Haizhen, and Zhang Xiying (2005): Science in China, Series D (Earth Sciences), 48(11), 1913-1920

ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'

References:

ⓘ Dolomite

Formula: CaMg(CO₃)₂

References:

ⓘ Gypsum

Formula: CaSO₄ · 2H₂O

References:

Mianping Zheng (1997): An Introduction to Saline Lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Kluwer Academic Publishers (Dordrecht, NL), 319 pp.

ⓘ Halite

Formula: NaCl

References:

Tan Hongbing, Ma Haizhou, Xiao Yingkai, Wei Haizhen, and Zhang Xiying (2005): Science in China, Series D (Earth Sciences), 48(11), 1913-1920

ⓘ Kaolinite

Formula: Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

References:

ⓘ Magnesite

Formula: MgCO₃

References:

ⓘ Mirabilite

Formula: Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O

References:

Mianping Zheng (1997): An Introduction to Saline Lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Kluwer Academic Publishers (Dordrecht, NL), 319 pp.

ⓘ Montmorillonite

Formula: (Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O

References:

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite

Formula: K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Plagioclase'

Formula: (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈

References:

ⓘ Polyhalite

Formula: K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O

References:

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ 'Smectite Group'

Formula: A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O

References:

ⓘ Sylvite

Formula: KCl

References:

Xiyu Zheng (1994): Journal of Lake Sciences 6(3), 267-275

Youde Ma (2006): Journal of Salt Lake Research 14(1), 14-28

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘ	Halite	3.AA.20	NaCl
ⓘ	Sylvite	3.AA.20	KCl
ⓘ	Carnallite	3.BA.10	KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O
ⓘ	Bischofite	3.BB.15	MgCl₂ · 6H₂O
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Magnesite	5.AB.05	MgCO₃
ⓘ	Dolomite	5.AB.10	CaMg(CO₃)₂
ⓘ	Aragonite	5.AB.15	CaCO₃
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ	Anhydrite	7.AD.30	CaSO₄
ⓘ	Blödite	7.CC.50	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
ⓘ	Polyhalite	7.CC.65	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
ⓘ	Mirabilite	7.CD.10	Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O
ⓘ	Gypsum	7.CD.40	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Muscovite var. Illite	9.EC.15	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
ⓘ		9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Montmorillonite	9.EC.40	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
ⓘ	Kaolinite	9.ED.05	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Chlorite Group'	-
ⓘ	'Plagioclase'	-	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
ⓘ	'Smectite Group'	-	A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Bischofite	MgCl₂ · 6H₂O
H	ⓘ Blödite	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
H	ⓘ Carnallite	KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O
H	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
H	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Mirabilite	Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
H	ⓘ Polyhalite	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
H	ⓘ Smectite Group	A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Aragonite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
C	ⓘ Magnesite	MgCO₃
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
O	ⓘ Aragonite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Bischofite	MgCl₂ · 6H₂O
O	ⓘ Blödite	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Carnallite	KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O
O	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
O	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Magnesite	MgCO₃
O	ⓘ Mirabilite	Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
O	ⓘ Polyhalite	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
O	ⓘ Smectite Group	A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Blödite	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
Na	ⓘ Halite	NaCl
Na	ⓘ Mirabilite	Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O
Na	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Na	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Bischofite	MgCl₂ · 6H₂O
Mg	ⓘ Blödite	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
Mg	ⓘ Carnallite	KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O
Mg	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Magnesite	MgCO₃
Mg	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Mg	ⓘ Polyhalite	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Al	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
S	ⓘ Blödite	Na₂Mg(SO₄)₂ · 4H₂O
S	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
S	ⓘ Mirabilite	Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O
S	ⓘ Polyhalite	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Bischofite	MgCl₂ · 6H₂O
Cl	ⓘ Carnallite	KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O
Cl	ⓘ Halite	NaCl
Cl	ⓘ Sylvite	KCl
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Carnallite	KMgCl₃ · 6H₂O
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
K	ⓘ Polyhalite	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
K	ⓘ Sylvite	KCl
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Anhydrite	CaSO₄
Ca	ⓘ Aragonite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Gypsum	CaSO₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Montmorillonite	(Na,Ca)_0.33(Al,Mg)₂(Si₄O₁₀)(OH)₂ · nH₂O
Ca	ⓘ Polyhalite	K₂Ca₂Mg(SO₄)₄ · 2H₂O
Ca	ⓘ Plagioclase	(Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi₂]O₈
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

Hindukush Himalayan RegionGroup of Mountain Ranges

China

East Kunlun Metallogenic BeltMineral Belt
Qaidam Li Mineral BeltMineral Belt
Qilian Metallogenic BeltMineral Belt

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate

Kunlun/South Qilian Fold BeltVolcanic Arc

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Xiyu Zheng (1994): Comprehensive utilization of salt lake resources over Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) plateau. Journal of Lake Sciences 6(3), 267-275 (in Chinese with English abstract).

Mianping Zheng (1997): An Introduction to Saline Lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Kluwer Academic Publishers (Dordrecht, NL), 319 pp.

Youde Ma (2006): Preliminary Study on the Method for Dissolution Mining of the Low Grade Solid Potassium Deposit in Mahai Salt Lake. Journal of Salt Lake Research 14(1), 14-28.

[1]Zhao, Yanjun, Wang, Nan, Shen, Lijian, Li, Ruiqin, Liu, Chenglin, Jiao, Pengcheng, Hu, Yufei, Zhao, Xianfu (2024) Contribution of deep material sources to shallow potash formation of the Quaternary Mahai Salt Lake in the Qaidam Basin: Evidence from isotopes and trace elements. Ore Geology Reviews, 171. 106166 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106166

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