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Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Billion-year treasure or environmental bombshell? $1.5 trillion lithium find inside supervolcano sparks global frenzy
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. — DerrickEvans4WV (@DerrickEvans4WV) 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 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.
Express Tribune
29-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
US eyes $1.5 trillion lithium treasure as McDermitt Caldera confirmed to hold record deposit
40 Million Tons of Lithium Found in America—What It Means for the Green Revolution | The Daily Galaxy Listen to article A renewed geological assessment of the ancient McDermitt Caldera on the Oregon-Nevada border has confirmed the site holds what could be the largest known lithium deposit in the United States—potentially worth up to $1.5 trillion. Although the caldera's lithium-rich clays have been known for years, recent evaluations suggest the scale of the deposit is far greater than previously understood. Experts say the find could help transform the US into a major player in the global battery supply chain. The McDermitt Caldera was formed by a supervolcanic eruption 16.4 million years ago. The volcanic activity created a unique geological environment that concentrated vast amounts of lithium in claystone, particularly within lakebed sediments. At the southern end of the caldera in Nevada, Lithium Americas is advancing the Thacker Pass project—set to begin extraction in 2026 with more than $2 billion in government loans and major investments from companies like General Motors. On the Oregon side, Australia-based Jindalee Resources is exploring a similarly vast deposit, though no mine has yet been proposed. Officials and geologists suggest it could surpass other domestic sources in scale. 'This feature is 16 million years old, and we're making decisions in a matter of years,' said Sammy Castonguay, a geologist at Treasure Valley Community College. 'We need to understand what's at stake.' Estimates suggest McDermitt Caldera could contain between 20 and 40 million metric tonnes of lithium—far surpassing the major reserves found in Bolivia and Argentina. This figure is significantly higher than the previously reported 18 million metric tonnes. With global lithium demand expected to rise 40-fold by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency, the McDermitt site is being seen as a potential game-changer. However, extracting lithium from claystone poses technical and environmental challenges. Unlike salt brine operations, the lithium here is embedded in illite, requiring new chemical leaching technologies. Researchers are working on closed-loop systems to minimise water usage and reduce environmental harm. Local communities remain divided. Malheur County, Oregon's poorest, could benefit from jobs and infrastructure. But past mining in the region left toxic scars—visible in abandoned mercury waste piles. Meanwhile, Indigenous tribes and environmental groups have raised concerns about Thacker Pass's impact on sacred land, water resources, and wildlife habitats. 'The US can't afford to repeat past mistakes,' said Greg Smith, director of economic development in Malheur County. 'We need to do this the Oregon way—with full accountability and shared benefits.' As the US moves to strengthen its domestic lithium supply under the Inflation Reduction Act and reduce reliance on foreign sources, the McDermitt Caldera is drawing national and global attention. The question now is how, and if, the country will responsibly unlock its vast potential.
