Read at 3 different speeds

Lithium is the new gold - 12th January 2022

Companies in search of lithium are setting up camp in California around the Salton Sea Lake, seeking out the most efficient and sustainable methods to mine the metal so essential for rechargeable batteries.

To date, the US has been sourcing most of its lithium supplies from overseas. However, renewable energy company, Controlled Thermal Resources, aims to bring an end to this by sinking a well 2,300 metres in order to extract lithium in the area. Chief operating officer Jim Turner tells us more.

Jim Turner: "There's not too many lithium sites that are known in North America, but there's a few. This is definitely the largest known here in North America. My guess is this will end up being the largest lithium production site globally once we fully develop it."

As fossil fuels are swapped out for greener solutions and countries embrace more sustainable transport, lithium is growing in demand, with many forecasting a doubling of the market by the decade's end.

Jim Turner: "The lithium produced from here will go into electric vehicle batteries. And so our lithium product will end up for the most part with EVs made in the US might be some made in Europe."

A popular holiday destination, Salton Sea Lake used to be buzzing with boat racing enthusiasts and Hollywood's rich-and-famous but climate change has taken its toll on the lake and its environs. The excess evaporation has resulted in noxious dust being released, causing the USA's highest number of cases in respiratory related ailments.

Frequent safeguarding checks concerning the safety of the lake are carried out by a team of researchers. The team seeks to mitigate against lithium mining exacerbating the situation.

Charles Diamond: "As far as hazards are concerned, I don't know of really any hazards that exist specific to this type of lithium exploration that don't already exist for geothermal power production."