Massive lithium discovery in California could be boon for US supply

Published On Oct 30, 2024, 3:33 PM

A significant lithium discovery beneath California's Salton Sea could substantially enhance US lithium supplies, vital for electric vehicle (EV) battery production. The region's geothermal plants are believed to host some of the world's highest lithium concentrations, with potential resources estimated at over 3.4 million tons, supporting around 375 million EV batteries. This domestic supply could help reduce US dependence on lithium imports, especially from countries like Argentina and Chile. However, projects to extract lithium face legal challenges over environmental concerns, highlighting ongoing debates about the balance between resource extraction and ecological protection.