Salton Sea holds US' largest lithium deposit, $540 billion

The Salton Sea in California has emerged as one of the world's largest lithium deposits, valued at up to $540 billion. This "white gold" could supply enough lithium for 382 million electric vehicles (EVs), bringing significant economic benefits to Imperial County. Recent studies by the U.S. Department of Energy revealed about 18 million tons of lithium in the region, much more than earlier estimates. This discovery could help the U.S. become self-sufficient in lithium, reducing dependence on imports from countries like China. Governor Gavin Newsom referred to the Salton Sea as the "Saudi Arabia of lithium," in light of the rising demand for EVs. Imperial County, which has a population of 180,000 and is among California's most impoverished areas, hopes to benefit economically from lithium mining. Officials are branding the region as "Lithium Valley." They plan to allocate 80% of mining revenues toward local development, which could significantly improve the community. However, concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of lithium extraction. The Salton Sea's receding waters have created issues with toxic dust, potentially affecting public health. Additionally, lithium mining is a water-intensive process, which could worsen existing shortages in the Colorado River. Local Native American tribes are also apprehensive. They fear that mining operations may harm sacred sites, such as Obsidian Butte, raising further concerns about the balance between economic development and environmental preservation.