Posted on 10/28/2024 7:46:22 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
There might be 5.1 million to 19 million tons of lithium in the Smackover Formation brines in southern Arkansas, researchers at the United States Geological Survey and the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment found.
The lithium mine, calculated using a machine-learning model and geological information that predicted maps of lithium concentration, represents 35% to 136% of the current amount of lithium estimated to be in the U.S.
Lithium could be extracted from the waste stream of the brines—deposits of groundwater rich in minerals—in the Smackover Formation.
The Smackover is already commonly used by energy and mining companies to produce oil, gas and other natural resources.
“We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more,” Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study’s principal researcher said in a news release.
Lithium demand is projected to reach 1.5 million tons by 2025 and more than three million tons by 2030, growing exponentially due to the increased demand for electric vehicles. EVs accounted for 87% of lithium consumption, according to a 2024 report by the USGS. Nearly 14 million new EVs were registered globally last year, with sales seeing a 35% increase from 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. Battery cell production in North America will exceed 1,200 gigawatt hours by 2030, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, which is enough to supply at least 12 to 15 million new EVs annually.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Currently, the U.S. is still reliant on imports from Chile and Argentina for the bulk of its lithium, according to S&P Global. While the U.S. holds a large amount of lithium reserves, it only produces less than 2% of the global supply, and proposals for mining operations face opposition from climate activists.
The Biden administration has encouraged various investments into lithium processing domestically – under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, energy companies were incentivized to extract and process materials used in EV batteries in the U.S. to qualify for tax credits.
Do not worry. Do not fear. Democrats will ban the exploration of this find and leave it to China.
No doubt about that.
What a conundrum for Leftists: They hate mining, but want the their cell phones and EV’s....
Smackover my head!
No doubt. I'm sure the EPA can find a worm, toad, or lizard that would be pushed to extinction if mining were to be permitted. /s
The restraints on lithium mining are the amount of land and groundwater required. Both can be easily removed by executive action.
In twenty or thirty years, when it becomes more readily apparent that we are moving into a new ice age, dems will demand a return to gas powered cars and ovens.
Perhaps the reptiles that rule us see a benefit in rising lithium levels in the bodies of Americans that is sure to follow its mining and industrial use.
What is lithium?
Lithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania.
Lithium a mood stabilizer that is a used to treat or control the manic episodes of bipolar disorder (manic depression). Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger.
Mild side effects
Some of the mild side effects that lithium may cause are listed below. For information about other mild side effects of the drug, we suggest that you talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. It may also be helpful to refer to the medication guide for lithium.
Mild side effects of lithium that have been reported in studies include:
weight gain or weight loss*
rash*
hair loss
headache
blurry vision
dizziness
feelings of general discomfort, such as feeling ill
increased thirst
loss of appetite
nausea or vomiting
trouble coordinating muscle movements, which can lead to problems walking or keeping your balance
It will take more energy to produce ....
Google NIOCORP. Trump wins, the stock will rise again.
Remember when diamonds were found in Arkansas? The mine was productive enough to threaten the DeBeers monopoly. So the mine was bought and turned into a state park. For a small fee you can spend the day playing in the dirt and perhaps find a diamond, even a really nice one.
I doubt if lithium will find itself on Arkansas state flag in the future.
Oh, already being fought in courts to ban it. There is also a similar field in Nebraska.
Lots of lithium means lots of EVs few people want, whatever.
OSHA will stop extraction and refining cold.
It is also been detected in fracking water in the Marcellus Shale regions. But Princess Kathy and the rest of the climate nazis in NYS say you can’t have gas and lithium. Stay poor.
Soon to be a national park!
My concern is that, if it was allowed to be excavated, that it will ruin the countryside and create an ecological disaster on par with Picher, Oklahoma and the chat piles that remain from zinc and lead extraction.
I heard an EV ad the other day -—”Get up to 315 miles per charge! As if that’s a good deal. How long does it take (and where?) to charge one up? Oh, and stay away from the sea shore and salt water, and don’t get trapped in your car! If I were a car manufacturer, I’d be wishing right now that I hadn’t deep sixed the idea of a I.C.E. invention of the gas saving cars.
And it will be sad to see all the damage done for such a stupid thing as Lithium batteries in EV’s.
It could be that we’re behind the curve. Battery technology improves and lithium is available. Subsidies don’t help. They hinder research and development.
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