Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Lithium Evaluation in Sedimentary Rocks: A Field-Deployable Approach

The growing demand for lithium, driven by the global energy transition, highlights the need for efficient exploration methods, particularly for sediment-hosted lithium deposits suitable for Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). Traditional analytical techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) face limitations in detecting lithium, especially in field conditions. In this study, we demonstrate the application of handheld Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for rapid, on-site lithium analysis in sedimentary drill cuttings. Using homogenized powder pellets and a structured laser raster analysis protocol, LIBS measurements were calibrated against laboratory-based Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The resulting model showed a strong correlation (R2 > 0.9), particularly in low-concentration ranges relevant to early-stage exploration. When integrated with XRD and XRF, this workflow enabled geologically informed interpretation of lithium-bearing intervals and associated elemental patterns. Our results confirm LIBS as a field-deployable, real-time tool for lithium evaluation during drilling operations.