Scientists have found a gigantic lithium deposit inside an ancient supervolcano in the United States, which is believed to be able to meet global demand for batteries for decades.
Geologists and volcanologists have revealed the presence of 120 million tons of lithium in the McDermitt caldera, located on the border between Nevada and Oregon. The discovery could simply shake up the global market for lithium, essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries found in electric vehicles and electronic devices.
With demand for lithium expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, this colossal deposit could help fill the expected deficit. But environmental concerns and local protests already surround, as you will see, the potential mining project.
A colossal deposit
The ancient McDermitt Caldera supervolcano, which erupted about 16 million years ago, contains enormous amounts of lithium in its volcanic rock.
Exploited, it could play a vital role in potentially providing 12 times the amount of lithium from Bolivia’s salt flats, which were once considered the largest lithium deposits on the globe.
Despite the enormous potential of this deposit, its exploitation arouses controversy. Environmental groups from two regional tribes oppose construction of a mining project in Nevada’s caldera, alleging it would encroach on so-called sacred lands. The land use conflict could thus be heated.
Refining to be optimized
Elon Musk, the boss of Tesla who would like to get into mining, pointed out a few days ago that lithium ore was widespread throughout the world, but that the limiting factor was the efficient refining of the material. For the Nevada deposit to be economically viable for the electric vehicle industry, it must be refined efficiently.
The billionaire also noted the importance of refining for other key components in his electric car batteries, such as the cathode and anode. “ Refining matters more than ore “, he added.
The discovery of this lithium deposit in the McDermitt caldera offers new hope for the supply of lithium, crucial for the rise of electric vehicles. The challenge now is to balance the need for raw materials for a sustainable energy transition with the protection of the environment and culturally significant sites. Efficient refining of lithium also remains a challenge for the industry.
Sources: Independent, Science.org
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