A supercontinental cycles perspective for the formation of Precambrian pegmatitic lithium deposits

The formation of metal deposits is closely related to Earth’s endogenic processes, and to some extent is resulted from global tectonic, and especially continental evolution. Thus, deeply interpreting the relationship between global supercontinental cycles and metal deposits could help us not only better understand the regional metallogeny, but also enhance the knowledge of continental evolution process. As an important resource of energy metal, lithium deposits are highly concerned recently in the context of "carbon neutrality" and "emission peak". This study reviews global Precambrian pegmatitic lithium deposits and reveals the connection between their formation and Precambrian supercontinental cycles. Their peak periods of occurrence are at 2.6 Ga, 1.8 Ga and 1.0~0.9 Ga. These deposits were formed by pre-existing materials reworking during orogeny and directly linked to the generation of S-type granites. The study stresses that the recycling, re-fertilizing and re-enriching of crustal materials caused by continental-continental collisional orogeny during supercontinental assembly are the prerequisites for forming pegmatitic lithium deposits.