Huge lithium deposits found across the southeastern United States could end dependence on imports

A new geological survey has discovered enough lithium to meet global demand for the next six years.

The study, led by the United States Geological Survey, discovered 5 million to 19 million tons of lithium reserves in a rock formation in the southern part of the continental United States, Fox Business reported.

Scientists collected samples from the Arkansas portion of the Smackover Formation — which stretches from Florida's Gulf Coast to six states, Alabama, Louisiana, parts of Mississippi and Texas.

The researchers used artificial intelligence to create a map of the area they say contains enough lithium to end U.S. dependence on imports.

“Our research was able to estimate for the first time the total lithium present in the southwestern part of the Smackover, Arkansas. We estimate that there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace the United States' import of lithium and more,” said Catherine Nerim, a hydrologist. and principal investigator of the study.

The authors of the study also clarified that the estimates are mere estimates and the entire area was not fully sampled.

“Lithium is an important mineral for the energy transition, and the potential for increased U.S. production to replace imports has implications for employment, manufacturing and supply-chain resilience,” said USGS Director David Applegate. “This study illustrates the value of science in addressing economically important issues.”

Prior to this massive discovery, US lithium reserves exceeded just over 1 million tons, according to the USGS. A moderate share compared to Chile's 9.3 million tonnes, Australia's 6.2 million tonnes and Argentina's 3.6 million tonnes.

If the survey's claims about the amount of lithium prove true, the United States will rise up the ranks and become one of the world's largest holders of lithium, bested only by Bolivia's 23 million tons and Argentina's 22 million tons. China is said to have 6.8 million tons of lithium.

The US imports more than 25% of the lithium used in product manufacturing. According to the USGS report, Argentina supplies 51%, Chile 43% and China 3% of the total lithium imported into the United States, but lithium mines in Australia are the most productive.

China is the world's largest producer and exporter of lithium, accounting for 64% of global supply. The communist superpower has sold $65 billion of lithium in 2023.

Lithium is mainly used in various technological products in the form of batteries.

The precious metal is used in power tools, cell phones, laptops and computers, Bluetooth devices, scooters, motorized bikes and most notably electric vehicle batteries.

Lithium batteries have a complicated reputation in New York City. Lithium batteries used in e-scooters, pedal-assist and automated bicycles have a reputation for spontaneous combustion – despite being key to a gasoline-free future.

Just last week, a 69-year-old man died in a fire at his Brighton Beach home after a lithium-ion battery caught fire. This marks the fourth death from a lithium battery fire this year.

The FDNY says the battery market is responsible.

“We're sending the message that lithium-ion batteries that are unregulated, that you're buying in places that are unregulated, are killing people, and we appreciate the public listening, and we're not going to stop,” said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.

“Even though the deaths are down because people are listening, it's number four, and it's a lot, and I'm not going to stop talking about unregulated lithium-ion batteries and the dangers they pose until we get to zero,” Tucker added.