A new geological survey has discovered enough lithium to meet global demand for the next six years.
The study, led by the U.S. Geological Survey, found between 5 million and 19 million tons of lithium reserves in rock formations in the southern continental United States. fox business Reported.
Scientists took samples from the Arkansas portion of the Smackover Formation, which spans six states from the Florida Gulf Coast through parts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and across Texas.
Researchers used artificial intelligence to map regions containing enough lithium to end the United States' dependence on imports.
“Our research provides the first estimate of the total amount of lithium present in southwest Smackover, Arkansas. “We estimate that lithium is present,” said hydrologist Catherine Knirim, the study's principal investigator.
The study's authors also clarified that the predictions were only estimates and the entire region was not 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 jobs, manufacturing and supply chain resiliency,” said USGS Director David Applegate. Ta. “This research shows the value of science in addressing economically important questions.”
Before this major discovery, U.S. lithium reserves barely exceeded 1 million tons, according to the USGS. This is a modest amount compared to Chile's 9.3 million tonnes, Australia's 6.2 million tonnes and Argentina's 3.6 million tonnes.
If the study's claims about lithium quantities are true, the United States would jump up the rankings and become one of the world's largest lithium-retaining countries, behind Bolivia's 23 million tons and Argentina's 22 million tons. China reportedly has 6.8 million tons of lithium.
The United States imports more than 25% of the lithium used in manufacturing products. Argentina supplies 51% of all lithium imported into the United States, Chile 43% and China 3%, but Australia's lithium mines are the most productive, according to the USGS report. .
China is the world's largest lithium producer and lithium exporter, accounting for 64% of global supply. The communist superpower generated more than $65 billion in sales. Lithium in 2023.
Lithium is used in various technology products, mainly in the form of batteries.
This precious metal is used in power tools, mobile phones, laptops and computers, Bluetooth devices, scooters, electric bicycles, and most importantly, batteries for electric cars.
Lithium batteries have a mixed reputation in New York City. Despite being the key to a petrol-free future, lithium batteries used in electric scooters, pedal assists and automatic bicycles are known to spontaneously combust.
Just last week, a 69-year-old man died after a lithium-ion battery caught fire at his Brighton Beach home. This is the fourth death this year due to a lithium battery fire.
The FDNY says the blame lies with the battery market.
“We are sending a message that unregulated lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion batteries purchased in unregulated locations are killing lives,” FDNY Secretary Robert Tucker said at the hearing. We are grateful for that and we will not stop.”
“Although the number of deaths has gone down because people have listened, this is the fourth and far too many. We need to stop talking about unregulated lithium-ion batteries and the dangers they pose until we get to zero.” We're going to keep talking,” Tucker added.
