America, which made the world cry with tariffs, now finds a treasure of 'white gold'!

America has acquired a huge jackpot, which can change the whole energy sector. The largest reserve of lithium has been discovered under an American volcano, which could be worth as much as $ 452 billion (approximately Rs 36 lakh crore). As it is exceptionally rich in lithium, it can provide the US with a significant benefit to fulfill its energy demands. Will it result in a dramatic change in America's energy policy? 

America has found a treasure that can be termed as 'white gold'

This treasure is lithium, which has turned out to be the biggest lithium reserves in the world. The US made this discovery in its McDermit caldera buried under a giant volcano. The worth of this treasure can be approximated at 36,13,75,00,00,000 rupees (US $ 452 billion). This lithium is so dense that it can be a game changer not just for the US but for the whole world's energy sector.

Treasure buried inside the caldera

The McDermit caldera is a massive supervolcano in the US, which was created by a violent volcanic eruption 16.4 million years ago. A lake had formed in this caldera, on which volcanic ash and mineral-bearing soil were accumulated. With time, these conditions led to the formation of lithium-bearing clay minerals, dominantly minerals known as Eylite and Smectite. Approximately 120 million metric tonnes of lithium can be deposited there. If fully exploited, it would lower the US' dependence on imported lithium as well as the price of electric vehicles (EVs) and other renewable technologies.

Lithium with outstanding concentrations

The most significant aspect of this discovery is that the lithium discovered in the caldera is of very high concentration. Generally, the concentration level of lithium is about 0.4% whereas here it is up to 2.4% which is an unprecedented figure. It implies that the quantity of lithium is much greater than that of common minerals, which also enhances its commercial value and advantages considerably.

What will America receive?

For the US, this finding is important as it can not only enhance their energy security, but also make the US a significant global energy player. Lithium finds applications in electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems and other emerging technologies. In such a scenario, by fully utilizing this reserve of lithium, America can further enhance its presence in these sectors.

Impact of lithium reserve

The impact of this lithium reserve will be on many energy industries in the future. This could affect US energy policies, especially when it comes to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. In addition, it will provide stability to the US market, as it will reduce dependence on imports. At the same time, it can also lead to growth in jobs and industries arising from it.