Arkansas, land of Bill Clinton and fried chicken, has just revealed a treasure that could upset the world balance: A colossal lithium deposit capable of meeting world demand nine times by 2030. This spectacular discovery, nestled in the geological training of Smackover, promises to rebatter the maps of the geopolitics of mining resources.
With reserves estimated between 5 and 19 million tonnes, this jackpot exceeds understanding. For comparison, China, currently world leader, has “only” 6.8 million tonnes of reserves. This discovery therefore sounds like a real thunderclap in the battery industry and, by ricochet, electronics and automotive.
In Arkansas, we already remember the great era of the gold rush. This region, already broken to oil exploitation and bromine, has a major asset: its existing infrastructure. No need to start from scratch, the installations are there, ready to be adapted to extract white gold from the depths of Smackover.
Sector experts are already rubbing their hands. This discovery is timely, while demand in batteries for electric vehicles explodes. The automotive industry giants, who are desperately seeking to secure their supplies, see in this deposit an opportunity in gold to get rid of Chinese dependence.
The new West West West
The path to this Eldorado is not paved only with good intentions. The extraction of lithium is a delicate affair which requires significant amounts of fresh water. In a region that sometimes experiences periods of drought, the management of this precious resource should be carefully planned.
Local communities too will have a say. Mining can no longer be done as in the time of gold researchers. Social acceptability and the preservation of the environment are now priorities even if the freshly elected American president seems far from these considerations. Companies will still have to juggle between economic profitability and environmental responsibility.
The stake is therefore size. This discovery could not only transform the United States into a superpower of lithium, but also accelerate the transition to greener mobility. The economic benefits promise to be considerable for the region, with the creation of many jobs and the development of local expertise in the extraction of this precious metal. Make America Great Again ?
- A titanic Lithium deposit discovered in Arkansas could meet global demand by 2030
- Existing infrastructures facilitate exploitation, but major environmental challenges persist
- This discovery could revolutionize the global battery market and strengthen the energy independence of the United States
