$1.5 trillion lithium deposit found in U.S. supervolcano crater — site could supply batteries for decades

A massive lithium deposit has been discovered in the McDermitt Caldera on the Nevada-Oregon border, potentially containing 20 to 40 million metric tons of lithium-rich clay valued at $1.5 trillion. This find could supply the lithium battery industry for decades and reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources. The deposit was identified through research led by Thomas R. Benson, PhD, indicating the presence of high-grade lithium-holding clay close to the surface for open-pit mining. With global lithium demand expected to increase significantly by 2040, the discovery of new deposits like this one could be crucial for U.S. interests in the future.