Wyoming Lithium could supply 80% of U.S. requirements

[OnlinePoker]

The question is, will environmentalists let it be extracted?

"If the US would like to stop importing 80 percent of its lithium, mainly from China, and if Bolivian sources don't come through, it looks like there is a big domestic opportunity: Wyoming. Having an ample domestic supply would bring down the price of lithium, which could mean electric vehicles would become more cost competitive.

Researchers at the University of Wyoming have found quite a lot of lithium in Rock Springs Uplift, a geological section of southwest Wyoming. Data collection is early, but so far it suggests that brines within a 25-square mile area could offer 228,000 tons of lithium. It's nearly twice as large as the nation's current largest lithium producer, which is located in Silver Peak, NV."

More at link.

http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/wyoming-lithium-deposits-much-bigger-than-originally-expected/

[jeff47]

1. It's not environmentalists keeping that Li in the ground.

It's cost. China's selling Li cheaper than anyone else can mine it.

[kristopher]

2. do you have a reference for that?

I'd like to read more on it if you do.

[jeff47]

4. Not handy. It's what was reported with US Li mines shut down years ago. (nt)

[gejohnston]

3. Since we are talking about Sweetwater County

I doubt environmentalists will be overly concerned. Partly because it is a desert, and mining has been a large part of the economy since the 19th century, mostly coal and trona.