Posted on 12/04/2023 9:03:17 AM PST by NohSpinZone
Imperial County, a sprawling desert region three hours southeast of Los Angeles that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border, may not be what you would typically associate with Southern California.
Home to ramshackle landmarks like Salvation Mountain, the Salton Sea and Bombay Beach, it’s the least populated county in the region with just 180,000 residents. But U.S. politicians are suddenly interested in this rural area for other reasons — namely, the wealth of lithium deep beneath its surface. The rare mineral used in batteries, now in particularly high demand with the rise of electric vehicles, could be enough to produce 375 million batteries for that use, according to a new report.
Imperial County — which now touts itself as Lithium Valley — is sitting on an estimated 3,400 kilotons of lithium, according to the 2023 study authored by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The coveted mineral is mostly found in Australia, China and Chile, and U.S. officials predict that demand for this “critical” resource will skyrocket by 4,000% over the next several decades.
A previous report from the county stated that it could take up to 100 years to completely extract the lithium, and a salt and potassium mine located in the Salton Sea region is “believed to have the highest concentration of lithium contained in geothermal brines in the world,” per the state.
SNIP
Currently, there are 11 geothermal plants situated along the Salton Sea that produce low-carbon energy, and BHE Renewables — which owns 10 of them — is trying to figure out how to use them to extract lithium. Per Politico, EnergySource Minerals, one of three companies spearheading lithium production by the Salton Sea’s southern shore, has said it plans to start mining in 2025.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
The EPA and CA will block it.
The Salton Sea area is already a train wreck.
Right. These scum have no problem with African boys mining the stuff in slavery conditions but God forbid we dig holes in the middle of a polluted desert.
No problem digging the hell out of that are, too, except for all the methheads stealing construction stuff.
LOL! Opening a lithium mine in caulifourkneeyuh? Only if grabem gruesome has some money in it.
a earthquake prone spot on the globe!
California leftists (including my aunt) constantly brag how under their leadership California has this massive Economy, greater than most countries in the world.
I’m sure it has nothing to do with its:
Oil
Precious metals
Other metals
Perfect climate
Huge size
Central Valley growing what 1/3 the nations vegetables?
Lumber
Tourism
Being the, by far, state with most ports to import/export business to Asia
Etc
The EPA and CA will block it.
***********
There are all manner of legal and environmental hurdles for mining operations in this country. But when it involves resource extraction that supports the Leftists’ agenda approvals (and exceptions) will be expedited.
I doubt it. The eco-left will oppose it.
Boy, talk about pollution! Mining and refining for this is extremely dirty, to say nothing of the amount of energy required.
The eco-left relaxes its activities when a Dem is in the White House.
Don’t forget the ‘Endangered Species Act’. If some kind of rare sand flea is found in the area, in-depth studies will have to be done. We must protect the sand flea!
This could take years to complete, if competed at all.
So true…
In other words, enough batteries for 375 cars.
Maybe. I saw the eco-nuts come out to oppose a solar farm I was following. But to be fair, in the end it was built. The unions backed it.
The destruction of a lithium mine will make oil and gas development look like the Garden of Eden.
I recently saw a report on the new mega lithium deposits in Nevada, and the left is organizing to stop mining there, and recruiting the tribes to help. Suddenly the tribes have discovered that it’s sacred land.
Count on it.
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