Researchers have found $540 billion of “white gold” at the bottom of a massive lake in Southern California.
The Salton Sea, the state’s largest lake, was the location of a research project that the Department of Energy supported.
Project Goal
The goal of the project was to ascertain how much lithium lay beneath the water.
Due to the value of lithium and its white, sand-like appearance, the chemical element is often referred to as “white gold.”
Previous Estimation
Prior to the latest drilling operation, it was established that four million tons of lithium were already present in the lake.
California governor Gavin Newsom once labeled the Salton Sea the “Saudi Arabia of lithium mining.”
‘Lithium Valley’
Additionally, the lake’s location in Imperial County earned it the moniker “Lithium Valley.”
It is now more apparent than ever before why following the most recent research initiative.
Massive Potential
The scientists discovered last year that the lake’s bottom contained 18 million tons of lithium.
This enormous quantity would be sufficient to power the batteries of over 382 million electric vehicles or more cars than are currently on the road in the United States.
Leading Nation
China would be knocked off the top spot, making the United States the leading nation in lithium.
“This is one of the largest lithium brine deposits in the world. This could make the United States completely self-sufficient in lithium and stop importing it through China,” said Michael McKibben, a co-author of the study and a geochemistry professor at the University of California, Riverside.
High Value
The figures from last year indicated that one metric ton of lithium was worth approximately $29,000.
Thus, in light of this figure, it can be estimated that the Salton Sea contains $540 billion worth of lithium.
Extraction
Presently endeavors are being made to extricate as much lithium as possible from the lakebed.
According to Los Angeles Times climate reporter Sammy Roth, “There have been companies for decades, actually, that have been trying to get lithium out of there, and especially in the last decade as electric vehicles and energy storage on the power grid become such a big need.”
Challenges
However, removing enormous quantities of lithium from the Salton Sea is not an easy task, and there are also some risks associated with it.
Geothermal production wells, underground pumps, and a lot of water are needed to get to the lithium.
Local Community
Additionally, approximately 180,000 people live close to the lake.
The extraction work could impact them, and their water supply, which comes from the Colorado River, may be impacted too.
Benefits
However, there is a possibility that the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks.
In March, Imperial County issued a press release announcing the taxation of lithium extraction.
New Revenue Streams
The mining operation would result in the creation of new revenue streams which could be beneficial for the community.
Previously the lake was a source of water for local farmers but it gradually began to shrink.
Once the lake bed was exposed winds created clouds of toxic dust which spread into local communities.
