Billion-year treasure or environmental bombshell? $1.5 trillion lithium find inside supervolcano sparks global frenzy

Economic Times

17-05-2025

iStock A stunning $1.5 trillion lithium discovery inside an ancient U.S. supervolcano could make America a global battery powerhouse. But while investors see gold in clay, Indigenous communities and environmentalists warn of irreversible damage to sacred lands and fragile ecosystems.
Beneath the rugged borderlands of Nevada and Oregon, in the ancient belly of a 16-million-year-old supervolcano, geologists have unearthed what may be the world's largest lithium reservoir—valued at an eye-watering $1.5 trillion. Hidden in layers of clay deep within the McDermitt Caldera lies enough lithium to potentially shift global power dynamics in the energy race, turning the U.S. into a lithium superpower virtually overnight.
Originally discovered in 2023, the deposit has stunned scientists not just by its sheer size, but by its strategic value. As the planet pivots toward electric vehicles and renewable energy, lithium—the crucial component in EV batteries—has become one of the world's most coveted elements. This find, scientists say, could eclipse the vast lithium reserves of South America and China, redefining global supply chains.
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According to a report from Unilad Tech, i f the United States can extract the lithium efficiently and at scale, it could lessen the country's dependence on foreign suppliers, catalyzing a domestic energy revolution. For investors and policymakers, the find spells opportunity. Electric vehicle manufacturers, tech giants, and battery innovators are already turning their gaze westward, eyeing the ancient caldera as the next frontier in the green tech boom.
'This discovery places the U.S. in a strong strategic position for the energy transition,' said one industry analyst. 'It's a game-changer—not just for markets, but for geopolitics.'
However, beneath the optimism lies a growing wave of concern. Environmentalists and Indigenous communities are sounding alarms over the devastating consequences that large-scale mining could unleash on this fragile, culturally rich landscape. The Sierra Club and other advocacy groups warn that the proposed extraction—requiring road construction, drilling, and chemical processing—could permanently scar ecosystems and displace vital wildlife.
Adding urgency to the outcry, tribal leaders have condemned the mining plans as an existential threat to sacred lands. The caldera region is home to numerous ceremonial sites and holds centuries of spiritual and historical significance for Native tribes. 'We are stewards of this land,' one leader said. 'Its destruction is our destruction.' Unlike South American lithium brine fields, the McDermitt Caldera's lithium is encased in claystone—requiring aggressive techniques like acid leaching, which carry heavy environmental risks. Geologists like Sammy Castonguay have stressed the need for caution and foresight. 'This feature is 16 million years old,' he said. 'And we're making decisions that could alter it forever.' Still, momentum builds. Oregon mining proposals are moving forward, buoyed by investor enthusiasm and global demand. Yet resistance from local communities remains fierce, with residents fearful of being left with poisoned water, torn landscapes, and broken promises once the mining rush subsides.As the world watches, the McDermitt Caldera sits at the heart of a volatile crossroads. Can we extract Earth's riches without sacrificing her sanctity? Can we chase progress without forgetting people? The $1.5 trillion treasure beneath this ancient supervolcano may define not just the next era of energy—but the moral choices we make to get there.