A LCT pegmatite spectral library of the aldeia spodumene deposit: contributes to mineral exploration

Several methodologies can be employed in the prospection of Lithium (Li) in hard-rock (pegmatites). Spectrometry analysis, a Remote Sensing (RS) technique, can be applied to understand the surface spectral response of a sample, both to identify the rock-forming or alteration minerals in its composition and to validate the data collected in situ (by sensors onboard satellites/drones, for example). This paper aims to make available for public use the information acquired on the spectral composition of rock samples from the Barroso pegmatite field in Portugal, within the scope of the INOVMINERAL4.0 project. As a result, a spectral library was created with 47 spectra, collected from 11 different samples. All data is made available in a universal format, thus contributing to open science, corroborating the validation of local spectral data, and stimulating the creation of other databases, in other locations.

The authors acknowledge the support provided by Portuguese National Funds through the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (Portugal) projects UIDB/04683/2020 and UIDP/04683/2020 (Institute of Earth Sciences); through ANI and COMPETE 2020 as well as European funds through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with POCI-01-0247-FEDER- 046083 INOVMINERAL project. The authors also thank Savannah Resources PLC for access to the Aldeia pegmatite and for providing the samples used in this study. Cátia Rodrigues de Almeida and Douglas Santos were financially supported by Portuguese national funds through FCT (Grant: PRT/BD/153518/2021, Grant: UI/BD/154412/2023, respectively).