Lithium

The US is about to get tested. A large lithium deposit has been discovered along the Oregon-Nevada border in an area known as the McDermitt Caldera. Mining in the area is controversial, as it is sacred land to many indigenous tribes and a valuable habitat for animals like the sage grouse. Lithium mining requires the use of large amounts of fresh water which is a scarce commodity in that area. Five years ago a similar find in Maine caused the state to immediately object. EV batteries require large amounts of lithium along with cobalt, nickle and copper and there is not enough without opening new mines. If they start production on a mine it will be some years until the first ore comes out of the ground. They need EPA approval followed by issuing of permits and building the infrastructure to bring heavy equipment in and ore out. The next step is processing which uses dangerous chemicals like hydrochloric acid. If they are going to do this they need to start building the processing plant while they are building the mine to save time. It will be a battle among the Greens. Do they want the EV's bad enough to dirty up the ground water or will they move the processing to another country as we have done in the past.