Bentonite is an industrial clay widely used in various sectors, such as well drilling, ceramics, foundry, and environmental barriers, due to its unique physicochemical properties. This study aims to characterize the bentonites from the Campo Novo Mine, located in the municipality of Sossego-PB, by analyzing their formation processes, mineralogical properties, and industrial applications. The bentonites in this region originate from the weathering and hydrothermal alteration of basalts, leading to the formation of clay minerals from the smectite group, such as montmorillonite. To analyze these clays, technical visits were carried out for sample collection, followedby laboratory tests, including drying in an oven, comminution, dry and wet sieving, magnetic separation, and swelling tests. The results indicated that the cream-colored bentonite 2 had the highest swelling capacity, while the white bentonite showed lower expansion, possibly due to its high calcium content. Mineralogical analysis revealed variations in the composition of the samples, confirming the influence of geological processes on their formation. Magnetic separation demonstrated differences in the mineralogical composition among the samples, suggesting variations in bentonite quality. From an economic perspective, the exploitation of bentonites in Sossego represents a promising opportunity for the local industry, provided it is carried out sustainably. Thus, this study contributes to the geological and technological knowledge of Paraíba's bentonites, providing informationfor optimizing their industrial use and for future research on the mineralogical variability of the region.

This paper addresses the role of lithium both in its geological origins and in its therapeutic use in psychiatry, highlighting the implications of its extraction and medical application. Under standard conditions it is the lightest solid element on the periodic table. Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable and is stored in mineral oil. Lithium is widely found in the Earth's crust, but it does not occur as a specific mineral, that is, with a chemical composition and defined crystal structure, allowing its extraction in isolation in mineral deposits. In Brazil, it is always a component that forms the crystal structure of lithiniferous pegmatite minerals, such as spodumene (the only economically exploitable for lithium extraction), petalite, amblygonite, and elbaite, related to endogenous processes. In the exogenous environment, it occurs as a constituent of salt flats in Andean countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. Its geological exploration is related to specific mining processes, with concentration by electrolysis. Lithium has many applications, from lubricating grease, alloy additions, in particular for Aluminum and Magnesium alloys, to glazes for ceramics, and finally Lithium batteries. In the field of psychiatry, lithium has established itself as an essential drug for the treatment of bipolar disorder, acting as a mood stabilizer by modulating neurotransmitters and neuronal processes. Thus, the present study seeks not only to highlight the geological processes involved in lithium extraction, but also to discuss the therapeutic contributions and clinical challenges associated with its use.