Researchers have stumbled on a deposit of lithium that in a best-case scenario could supply 700 years worth of current consumption. Lithium is an import component of modern rechargeable batteries. The U.S. currently imports more than 80% of what it uses.
The location in southwest Wyoming is synergistic in several ways: it is relatively close to a large supply of soda ash, which is needed to recover the lithium; it is already at high pressure and temperature, which aids the recovery process; treated water from the recovery process could benefit local communities, agriculture and industry.
