Around 16.4 million years ago, an extraordinary eruption occurred near Nevada’s current border with Oregon. The eruption unleashed magma that spread an eerie orange glow across the region. This event, described in a recent article published in Science Advances, revealed the presence of a substantial lithium deposit beneath the volcano’s dormant crater. If confirmed and easily extractable, this discovery could have significant implications for contemporary geopolitics and the future of green energy.
Lithium has a long and storied history. Following the Big Bang, the universe was initially too hot for stable nuclei to develop. It took several minutes for the expansion and cooling process to allow atoms to form. Amidst this process, lithium atoms emerged, creating a mist of this light metal across the cosmos. Although much of it was later destroyed, the universe continues to produce and deposit lithium in the gas and dust clouds that coalesce into stars and planets.
On Earth, we have experienced various metal ages, from copper to bronze to iron. Currently, we find ourselves in the lithium age. Lithium is the crucial component in batteries that power smartphones, electric vehicles, and other devices. As humanity transitions away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources, we will require even more lithium to store electricity efficiently. With advancements in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, the need for lithium is undeniable.
China, recognizing the future demand for lithium, has been ahead of other countries in securing lithium deposits. Large lithium reserves have been found in China’s Qinghai province, with Chinese companies purchasing lithium ore from mines in Australia, Chile, and Bolivia. However, the recent discovery of a lithium deposit in Nevada may potentially shift the global balance of power. Nevertheless, it will take time for the lithium to be extracted and utilized in American battery manufacturing.
Venkat Srinivasan, the director of an energy storage task force, emphasizes the significance of having substantial lithium deposits in the United States. Lithium Americas, the company behind this research, plans to begin mining at the site in 2026. However, the process of extracting usable lithium from the clay-rich deposit is still uncertain in terms of cost and environmental impact.
Cameron Perks, a lithium analyst, highlights that while the size of the deposit is important, other lithium sources will compete for investor attention. Investors are already committed to funding the extraction of lithium from other types of deposits.
Political complexities also come into play. The area where the lithium deposit was found is currently sparsely populated, but it holds historical significance for the Paiute and Shoshone tribes, who consider it their unceded ancestral land. The tribes, along with environmentalists and local ranchers, have filed lawsuits to prevent the establishment of an open-pit lithium mine nearby. The outcome of the litigation surrounding this new deposit remains uncertain, and the process is expected to be protracted, potentially lasting a decade or more.
Furthermore, once the lithium is extracted, the United States still lags behind China in processing capabilities. While the Biden administration has allocated funding to boost lithium battery manufacturing, it will take substantial investment and time to catch up to China’s dominance in this field. Perks asserts that China will remain a vital player in the lithium supply chain for the United States.
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