A new geological assessment of the ancient McDermitt Caldera, located along the Oregon-Nevada border, has confirmed the discovery of what could be the largest lithium deposit in the United States. The find, estimated to be worth up to $1.5 trillion, positions the U.S. as a major contender in the global lithium supply chain, crucial for battery production and clean energy technologies.
Recent studies indicate the deposit may contain between 20 to 40 million metric tonnes of lithium, nearly doubling Bolivia’s famed lithium reserves. This vast resource could help meet the soaring demand for lithium, projected to increase 40-fold by 2040, as global industries shift toward renewable energy and electric vehicles.
Also Read: Massive Lithium Discovery in US Could Reshape Global Supply
Lithium Americas is set to begin extraction at Thacker Pass in Nevada by 2026, backed by over $2 billion in government loans and major corporate investments. On the Oregon side, Australia’s Jindalee Resources is exploring similarly vast deposits, though no mining has yet begun.
Despite the potential economic benefits, technical and environmental challenges remain. Extracting lithium from the caldera’s claystone requires advanced chemical processes, and local communities and Indigenous groups are raising concerns about environmental impacts and sacred land preservation.
