The Gabo lithium deposit is located at the northeastern end of the Kulagangri dome. The stratigraphy exposed in the mining area is relatively simple. The detachment system mainly consists of the Carboniferous Guzi Formation, which exhibits intense overall deformation and is divided into two units. The lower unit is primarily composed of quartz mica schist and garnet-staurolite mica schist, with local interbeds of thin-layered metamorphic sandstone. The upper unit is mainly composed of light gray, medium-thin layered marble interbedded with quartz mica schist. The spodumene pegmatites are predominantly found in the upper unit of the Guzi Formation. At present, more than 50 spodumene pegmatite veins have been discovered in the Gabo mining area. The ore bodies occur conformably within the marble and schist strata of the detachment system. The pegmatite veins generally have a strike 342° and dip 11°, with individual veins ranging in length from 1 to 200 m and in width from 0.8 to 40 m. Their shapes include vein-like, lens-like, and pocket-like forms. The main lithium-bearing minerals in the ore bodies are spodumene, petalite, elbaite, and lepidolite. The K2 ore body in the Gabo mining area is exposed over a length of about 200 m on the surface, with a total thickness of approximately 45 m. The average Li2O grade is 1.11 %, and the average BeO grade is 0.047 %, demonstrating significant exploration potential.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Mineral List

15 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Fu, Jiangang; Li, Guangming; Guo, Weikang; Zhang, Linkui; Dong, Suiliang; Li, Yingxu; Dong, Lei; Jiao, Yanjie (2025) Trace element geochemistry in apatite from the Gabo pegmatite type lithium deposit, Tethyan Himalaya, China: Implications for petrogenesis and metallogenesis. Ore Geology Reviews, 182. 106645 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2025.106645

ⓘ Andalusite

Formula: Al₂(SiO₄)O

References:

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

References:

ⓘ Beryl

Formula: Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)

References:

ⓘ 'Biotite'

Formula: K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂

References:

ⓘ Chloritoid

Formula: Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ 'Columbite-Tantalite'

References:

ⓘ Cordierite

Formula: Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈

References:

ⓘ Elbaite

Formula: Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)

References:

ⓘ 'Feldspar Group'

References:

ⓘ 'Garnet Group'

Formula: X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

ⓘ Kyanite

Formula: Al₂(SiO₄)O

References:

ⓘ Microcline

Formula: K(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

ⓘ 'Monazite Group'

Formula: REE(PO₄)

References:

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

ⓘ Petalite

Formula: LiAl(Si₄O₁₀)

References:

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

ⓘ Spodumene

Formula: LiAlSi₂O₆

References:

ⓘ Staurolite

Formula: Fe²⁺₂Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)

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ⓘ Titanite

Formula: CaTi(SiO₄)O

References:

ⓘ 'Tourmaline'

Formula: AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z

References:

ⓘ 'Xenotime'

References:

ⓘ Zircon

Formula: Zr(SiO₄)

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Zircon	9.AD.30	Zr(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Andalusite	9.AF.10	Al₂(SiO₄)O
ⓘ	Kyanite	9.AF.15	Al₂(SiO₄)O
ⓘ	Staurolite	9.AF.30	Fe²⁺₂Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
ⓘ	Chloritoid	9.AF.85	Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Titanite	9.AG.15	CaTi(SiO₄)O
ⓘ	Beryl	9.CJ.05	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
ⓘ	Cordierite	9.CJ.10	Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈
ⓘ	Elbaite	9.CK.05	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
ⓘ	Spodumene	9.DA.30	LiAlSi₂O₆
ⓘ	Muscovite	9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Petalite	9.EF.05	LiAl(Si₄O₁₀)
ⓘ	Microcline	9.FA.30	K(AlSi₃O₈)
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Biotite'	-	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
ⓘ	'Feldspar Group'	-
ⓘ	'Monazite Group'	-	REE(PO₄)
ⓘ	'Tourmaline'	-	AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
ⓘ	'Xenotime'	-
ⓘ	'Garnet Group'	-	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
ⓘ	'Columbite-Tantalite'	-
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
H	ⓘ Chloritoid	Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Staurolite	Fe₂²⁺Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
H	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Li	Lithium
Li	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Li	ⓘ Petalite	LiAl(Si₄O₁₀)
Li	ⓘ Spodumene	LiAlSi₂O₆
Be	Beryllium
Be	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
B	Boron
B	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
B	ⓘ Tourmaline	AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Andalusite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
O	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
O	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
O	ⓘ Chloritoid	Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Cordierite	Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈
O	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
O	ⓘ Kyanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
O	ⓘ Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Monazite Group	REE(PO₄)
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Petalite	LiAl(Si₄O₁₀)
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Spodumene	LiAlSi₂O₆
O	ⓘ Staurolite	Fe₂²⁺Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
O	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
O	ⓘ Tourmaline	AD₃G₆(T₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃X₃Z
O	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
F	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Na	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Mg	ⓘ Cordierite	Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Andalusite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
Al	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Al	ⓘ Chloritoid	Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Cordierite	Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈
Al	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Al	ⓘ Kyanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
Al	ⓘ Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Petalite	LiAl(Si₄O₁₀)
Al	ⓘ Spodumene	LiAlSi₂O₆
Al	ⓘ Staurolite	Fe₂²⁺Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Andalusite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
Si	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Si	ⓘ Beryl	Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
Si	ⓘ Chloritoid	Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Cordierite	Mg₂Al₄Si₅O₁₈
Si	ⓘ Elbaite	Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃(OH)
Si	ⓘ Kyanite	Al₂(SiO₄)O
Si	ⓘ Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Petalite	LiAl(Si₄O₁₀)
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Spodumene	LiAlSi₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Staurolite	Fe₂²⁺Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
Si	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Si	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
Si	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Monazite Group	REE(PO₄)
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Cl	Chlorine
Cl	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
K	ⓘ Microcline	K(AlSi₃O₈)
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃(Cl/F/OH)
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Ti	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	ⓘ Chloritoid	Fe²⁺Al₂O(SiO₄)(OH)₂
Fe	ⓘ Staurolite	Fe₂²⁺Al₉Si₄O₂₃(OH)
Zr	Zirconium
Zr	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

AsiaContinent

HimalayasMountain Range
Hindukush Himalayan RegionGroup of Mountain Ranges

China

Himalayan Li Mineral BeltMineral Belt
Southern Tibet - Tengchong Li Mineral BeltMineral Belt
⭔Southwest ChinaRegion

Eurasian PlateTectonic Plate

Himalayan Orogenic BeltOrogenic Belt

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

[1]Fu, Jiangang; Li, Guangming; Guo, Weikang; Zhang, Linkui; Dong, Suiliang; Li, Yingxu; Dong, Lei; Jiao, Yanjie (2025) Trace element geochemistry in apatite from the Gabo pegmatite type lithium deposit, Tethyan Himalaya, China: Implications for petrogenesis and metallogenesis. Ore Geology Reviews, 182. 106645 doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2025.106645

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