Introduction: elyite is occasionally found in the oxidized zones of lead- and copper-bearing ore bodies and, more frequently, in post mining associations within mine tips or in weathered smelter slags. Its stabilization requires relatively alkaline conditions, a property it shares with its most frequent associates such as hydrocerussite, lanarkite and leadhillite group minerals. Elyite is difficult to confuse with other minerals occurring in the post-mining supergene environment due to its striking violet colour.

Occurrence in Wales: elyite was first reported from Wales by Rust & Mason (1988) from Esgairhir Mine in the Central Wales Orefield, where it occurred along with a wide range of other post-mining minerals in old mine-tips. This represented only the third UK occurrence. Three out of the four elyite occurrences in Wales are associated with mine-tip environments in which local highly alkaline conditions occur, for example due to juxtaposition of weathering sulphidic veinstone with lime-mortar debris from collapsed buildings.

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