Clayton Valley brine operation
Clayton Valley brine operation is a deposit with published resource estimates in Nevada, recorded in the USGS lithium deposits in the United States selected-sites dataset (2020 release).
Location: Nevada, United States
Commodities: lithium; potash
Deposit model: lithium brine · unclassified
Geology
“The most lithium-enriched brines are in the downfaulted northeastern arm of the playa. Brine is produced primarily from the southeast-dipping air-fall tuff bed or "ash aquifer." Although some brine previously was produced from the permeable salt beds overlying the ash aquifer, the practice was abandoned due to dissolution of the salt and collapse around the wells. The highest lithium concentrations are found in brines produced from the tuff where it abuts the faults and forms a structural trap for the dense brines.” (Davis and others (1986))
Published resource estimates
| Material | Class | Amount | Grade | Contained | As of | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| lithium (Li) | Possible | — | 0.02 percent | — | Jan 1, 1976 | Kesler (1978), Page 284, Table 3 — Kesler, T.L., 1978, Raw Lithium Supplies: Transactions of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum engineers, Incorporated, v. 264, p. 283-284. |
| lithium (Li) | Demonstrated | — | 0.033 percent | — | Jan 1, 1986 | Bleiwas and Coffman (1986), Page 6, Table 5 — Bleiwas, D.I., and Coffman, J.S., 1986, Lithium Availability—A Minerals Availability Appraisal: U.S. Bureau of Mines Information Circular 9102, 23 p. |
| lithium (Li) | Proven | — | 0.02 percent | — | Jan 1, 1976 | Kesler (1978), Page 284, Table 3 — Kesler, T.L., 1978, Raw Lithium Supplies: Transactions of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum engineers, Incorporated, v. 264, p. 283-284. |
Recorded production
- Clayton Valley brine operation, Silver Peak mine: produced an unstated amount of lithium (Li), 1967–2017 (Perry and Visher (2018); Perry and Visher (2017); Perry and Visher (2016); Perry and Visher (2015); Keast (2011), Page 19; Page 19; Page 19; Page 19; Page 13)
Exploration and site history
- Production: “Production wells currently tap six aquifer systems that yield brine to various evaporation ponds. Upgrading of brine salinity occurs over a 12 to 18 month period. Twenty active evaporation ponds make up 4,150 acres of surface area and hold up to several billion gallons of brine. Annual brine evaporation is 35 inches compared to freshwater evaporation of 56 inches with an average rainfall of 4 to 5 inches and a temperature range from 2 to 108?F. Currently, 50 wells are producing brine from all of the aquifers at rates from 30 to 325 gallons per minute (gpm). Depths of production wells vary from 230 feet to 1,160 feet with future plans to complete wells to 1,650 feet.” (Zampirro (2003))
- Development — In 1964, the Foote Mineral Company acquired the property to develop the brine as a primary source for lithium, 1964 (Davis and others (1986))
- Active — Commenced production of Li2CO3 in 1967 and production is still ongoing, 1967 (Davis and others (1986))
- Exploration — Foote Mineral Company drilling uncovered the deposits stratigraphy, 1964–1978 (Davis and others (1986))
- Discovery — Discovered in the late 1950's, when the Leprechaun Mining Company was exploring for potassium brines; High concentrations of lithium in the subsurface brines of the playa was discovered, 1950 (Davis and others (1986))
- Exploration — Wells drilled in the playa and adjacent alluvial slopes by Foote Mineral Company to determine the subsurface stratigraphy of the basin, 1964–1978 (Davis and others (1986))
Sources
- U.S. Geological Survey · published Jun 1, 2020 · retrieved Aug 18, 2026 · archive