A new geological survey has discovered enough lithium to meet global demand for the next six years.
The study, led by the U.S. Geological Survey, found between 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium reserves in rock formations in the southern United States, Fox Business reported.
The USGS announced that it has discovered millions of tons of lithium reserves in rock formations. USGS Facebook
Scientists took samples from the Arkansas portion of the Smackover Formation, which spans six states from the Florida Gulf Coast through parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and across Texas.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to map regions containing enough lithium to end the United States’ dependence on imports.
“Our research provides the first estimate of the total amount of lithium present in southwest Smackover, Arkansas. “We estimate that lithium is present,” said hydrologist Catherine Knirim, the study’s principal investigator.
The study’s authors also clarified that the predictions were only estimates and the entire region was not fully sampled.
“Lithium is a critical mineral for the energy transition, and the potential for increased U.S. production to replace imports has implications for jobs, manufacturing and supply chain resiliency,” said USGS Director David Applegate. Ta. “This study demonstrates the value of science in addressing economically important questions.”
Before this major discovery, U.S. lithium reserves barely exceeded 1 million tons, according to the USGS. This is a modest amount compared to Chile’s 9.3 million tonnes, Australia’s 6.2 million tonnes and Argentina’s 3.6 million tonnes.
If the study’s claims about the amount of lithium are true, the United States would jump up the rankings and become one of the world’s largest lithium holders, behind Bolivia’s 23 million tons and Argentina’s 22 million tons. China reportedly has 6.8 million tons of lithium.
USGS hydrologist Katherine Knirim believes lithium has the potential to “displace things like lithium imports from the United States.” Getty Images
The United States imports more than 25% of the lithium used in manufacturing products. According to a USGS report, Argentina supplies 51% of the total lithium imported into the United States, followed by Chile with 43% and China with 3%, but the most productive lithium mines are in Australia. It is said that
China is the world’s largest lithium producer and lithium exporter, accounting for 64% of global supply. The communist superpower sold more than $65 billion of lithium in 2023.
Lithium is used in a variety of technology products, primarily in the form of batteries.
This precious metal is used in power tools, mobile phones, laptops and computers, Bluetooth devices, scooters, electric bicycles, and most importantly, batteries for electric cars.
Here, USGS scientists are shown working on samples in the field. USGS Facebook
Lithium batteries have a mixed reputation in New York City. Despite being the key to a petrol-free future, lithium batteries used in electric scooters, pedal assists and automatic bicycles are known to spontaneously combust.
Just last week, a 69-year-old man died after a lithium-ion battery caught fire in his Brighton Beach home. This is the fourth death this year due to a lithium battery fire.
The FDNY says the blame lies with the battery market.
“We are sending a message that unregulated lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion batteries purchased in unregulated locations are killing lives,” FDNY Secretary Robert Tucker said at the hearing. We are grateful for this and we will not stop.”
“Although the number of deaths has gone down because people have listened, this is the fourth and far too many. We need to stop talking about unregulated lithium-ion batteries and the dangers they pose until we get to zero.” We’re going to keep talking,” Tucker added.
