The Salton Sea - California's largest lake - is now at the forefront of what could be a groundbreaking shift in the U.S. energy landscape.
Researchers in a project funded by the Department of Energy, have uncovered a massive deposit of lithium — dubbed 'white gold' — estimated to be worth around $540 billion, per Indy100.
Lithium, which bears the nickname 'white gold' due to its appearance reminiscent of white sand, is a critical component in battery production, particularly for electric vehicles.
The recent study has revealed a staggering 18 million tons of lithium at the bottom of the Salton Sea. This find significantly expands upon an earlier discovery, where four million tons were identified through initial drilling efforts.
The implications of this discovery are profound.
Michael McKibben - a geochemistry professor at the University of California, Riverside, and one of the 22 authors of the study - highlighted the global significance of this deposit. He said: "This is one of the largest lithium brine deposits in the world.
"This could make the United States completely self-sufficient in lithium and stop importing it through China."
The potential here is not just in altering the U.S. position in the global market but transforming it into a leading lithium producer, possibly surpassing China.
Per ABC7, Governor Gavin Newsom has previously likened the potential of the Salton Sea in lithium production to the oil-rich fields of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing its capacity to position California - and the U.S. at large - as a powerhouse in the renewable energy sector.
"This extraordinary economic opportunity," Newsom said.
However, the task of extracting this lithium is not without its challenges. The process involves the use of geothermal production wells to draw lithium-rich brine from deep beneath the earth’s surface.
After the lithium is separated, the remaining liquid is re-injected underground. This method, while effective, poses potential risks to the local environment and water supplies.
In January, construction started on the first large-scale direct lithium extraction plant near the lake, marking the first of seven planned phases for the $1.85 billion facility, according to ENR California.
The Salton Sea's proximity to the Colorado River, a vital water source for the region, along with the local population of 180,000 residents, raises concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale lithium extraction.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond just economic gains and technological advancements. As Sammy Roth, a climate journalist for the LA Times, told KJZZ radio: "They found that there's potentially enough lithium down there to supply batteries for 382 million electric vehicles, which is more, more vehicles than there are on the road in the United States today. So, if we could get all that lithium, that'd be huge."
As the project progresses, the world will be watching closely, anticipating the potential reshaping of economic landscapes and the redefining of energy resources in the 21st century.
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