A $1.5 trillion lithium deposit was just found in Oregon
The U.S. may reduce its dependence on foreign lithium thanks to this vast deposit found in an ancient caldera.
However, the rush to mine it is igniting conflict over the environment and land rights.
Geologists estimate the ancient volcanic site could hold between 20 to 40 million metric tons of lithium—enough to significantly reduce reliance on foreign sources and fuel the electric vehicle industry. Yet the find has sparked fierce debate between those eager to harness its economic promise and communities deeply concerned about environmental damage and cultural disruption.
While industry advocates tout the deposit as a lifeline for green technology and rural jobs, critics highlight risks to local wildlife, water sources, and sacred tribal lands. The Bureau of Land Management’s brief public comment period and early drilling proposals from HiTech Minerals Inc. have furthered tensions in Malheur County, one of Oregon’s poorest regions. With the region’s fragile ecosystem and rich Indigenous heritage at stake, stakeholders now face a complex challenge: how to extract “white gold” without losing what’s irreplaceable.
