X-ray diffraction analysis and TOF-SIMS element surface scanning analysis were conducted to assess the processing and availability of clay-type potassium-lithium ore in the Salt Lake of Balunmahai Basin in Qaidam.Additionally，a dissolution test was performed to further investigate the potential utilization of this resource.The findings indicate that the predominant mineral types present in clay-type potassium-lithium deposits within salt lakes include rock-forming mineral fragments，salt minerals，substances adsorbed on mineral surfaces，and layered mineral structural surfaces.The primary chemical components consist of K，Na，O，Cl.The content of salt mineral components such as Cl^-，SO {}_{\mathrm{4}}^{\mathrm{2}} ^-，K，Ca，Na，Mg，and B₂O₃ is notably high，while the concentrations of rare elements Li，Rb，Cs，and Sr are evident.Water-soluble substances found in the clay layer include stone salt，carnallite，and hydrochloromagnesite，with Li and K being capable of dissolution and utilization through water solutions.The analysis indicates that the predominant occurrence types of potassium （K） are soluble salt minerals，feldspar，and clay minerals.Lithium，on the other hand，is primarily found in the forms of adsorbed lithium and structural lithium.Adsorbed lithium includes water-soluble lithium and acid-leached lithium，while residual lithium is classified as structural lithium.The estimated potential resource of lithium chloride （LiCl） is 1.1441 million tons，whereas potassium chloride （KCl） is estimated at 13.9522 million tons.Dissolution tests conducted on the ore from Balunmahai Salt Lake indicate that the potassium content meets industrial standards for solid ore，while the lithium content meets criteria for liquid ore，affirming its extractability，value，processability，and accessibility.It is recommended that the comprehensive utilization grade of clay-type lithium ore exceed or equal 32.25×10^-6.

http://www.goldsci.ac.cn/article/2024/1005-2518/1005-2518-2024-32-4-579.shtml