A struggling California region is suddenly poised to become very, very rich

SF Gate ^ | 12/4/2023 | By Ariana Bindman

[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.

[oldtech]

I thought the lithium for batteries would probably be on the downslide now that EVs apparently are...????

[HKMk23]

“Central Valley growing what 1/3 the nations vegetables?”

Used to until Water Wars.

Used to be the Central Valley was planted in crops nearly the whole way up I-5 from L.A. to Tracy out East of Altamont.

Now? LOTTA fallow ground out there. A SCARY lot.

[Phoenix8]

I havent visited Central Valley in 5 years or so.

And around LA even longer, probably close to a score of years.

[KittyKares]

The EPA and CA will block it.
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I don’t doubt it. Earthworks, Comite Civico del Valley, and Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Coalition are already complaining about the potential impact on the environment.

It’s been a long-neglected lake, but on December 8, the Biden Administration gave California $70 million to “speed up restoration of the lake, improving conditions for wildlife, water quality, and surrounding communities.” Of course, they did. Then they can come in and forbid extracting the lithium.