Massive lithium deposit found across southeastern US could end reliance 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 between 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium reserves in a rock formation in the southern part of the continental US, Fox Business reported.

Scientists derived samples from the Arkansas portion of the Smackover Formation – which spans six states from Florida’s Gulf Coast, through parts of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and stretching across Texas.

Researchers used artificial intelligence to develop a map of the area that they say contains enough lithium to end the US’s reliance on imports.

“Our research was able to estimate total lithium present in the southwestern portion of Smackover in Arkansas for the first time. We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more,” said Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study’s principal researcher.

The study’s authors also made clear that the projections are merely estimates and the entire area has not been 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 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 find, the US lithium reserves barely surpassed 1 million tons, according to the USGS. A modest portion compared to Chile’s 9.3 million tons, Australia’s 6.2 million tons, and Argentina’s 3.6 million tons.

If the study’s claims about the amount of lithium prove true the US would shoot up the ranks and be one of the biggest lithium holders in the world, being bested by only Bolivia’s 23 million tons and Argentina’s 22 million tons. China reportedly has 6.8 million tons of lithium.

The US imports more than 25% of lithium used to manufacture products.  Argentina supplies 51%, Chile 43% and China provides 3% of the total lithium imported to the US, however Australia’s lithium mines are the most productive, according to the USGS report.

China is the world’s biggest producer and exporter of lithium accounting for 64% of the global supply. The communist superpower sold over $65 billion in lithium in 2023.

Lithium is used in a variety of tech-products mainly in the form of batteries.

The precious metal is used in batteries for power tools, cell phones, laptops and computers, bluetooth devices, scooters, motorized bikes, and, most significantly, electric cars.

Lithium batteries have a complicated reputation in New York City. Despite being key to a gasoline-free future – the lithium batteries that are used for e-scooters, pedal-assist and automatic bicycles have a reputation for spontaneous combustion.

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

The FDNY says that the market for batteries is to blame.

“We’re messaging that lithium-ion batteries that are unregulated, that you’re buying in places that are unregulated, kill people, and we appreciate the public hearing us, and we will not stop,” said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.

“Although deaths have decreased because people are listening, this is number four, and it’s too many, and I will not stop talking about unregulated lithium-ion batteries and the dangers that they cause until we’re at zero,” Tucker added.