Salton Sea, California – A colossal lithium discovery beneath California’s Salton Sea has ignited a race to unlock what some are calling America’s best shot at lithium independence . The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed in late 2023 that roughly 18 million metric tons of lithium—valued at around $540 billion—lie trapped in the geothermal brine below the shrinking lake in Imperial Valley.
The find, among the world’s largest lithium brine deposits, could produce enough for 375 million electric vehicle batteries. Experts say it could make the U.S. self-sufficient in lithium, a key component in batteries, smartphones, and renewable energy storage.
“This is one of the largest lithium brine deposits in the world,” said Michael McKibben, a geologist at UC Riverside. “It could make the U.S. completely self-sufficient and stop importing through China.”…