By The Financial District
Dec 13, 20231 min
Scientists from the Department of Energy studying the Salton Sea, the largest lake in California, have discovered a massive lithium deposit estimated to be worth $540 billion.
The discovery is considered one of the largest lithium brine deposits globally and could make the United States self-sufficient in lithium, reducing dependence on imports from China.
Initial findings confirmed four million tons of lithium in the lake, but further drilling revealed a total of 18 million tons.
This discovery positions the United States as a potential leader in lithium production, surpassing China. The significant lithium deposit could supply batteries for approximately 382 million electric vehicles.
Extracting the lithium from the lake involves using geothermal production wells to extract lithium-rich brine from deep underground, and the process requires pumping the dissolved lithium back into the earth.
The discovery is considered one of the largest lithium brine deposits globally and could make the United States self-sufficient in lithium, reducing dependence on imports from China.