The lithium supply in the U.S. is undergoing significant changes due to the increasing demand driven by the electric vehicle market.
Policymakers are reviving the lithium mining industry to meet this demand, but this has sparked controversy over potential environmental and cultural impacts.
However, there are innovative solutions emerging, such as extracting lithium from geothermal brine using direct lithium extraction (DLE), which reduces the ecological footprint. Advancements in lithium recovery techniques, including extracting lithium from seawater and waste brine from oil and gas drilling, are also gaining attention.
Machine learning is being used to assess lithium resources, with the Smackover Formation in Arkansas showing potential for a substantial lithium supply.
As the challenges in lithium supply unfold, there is a growing discourse around the sustainability of car culture and the need for a holistic approach to transportation and urban planning.