The U.S. currently imports most of its lithium for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, despite having significant domestic reserves. Traditional extraction methods like hard-rock mining and evaporation ponds are environmentally harmful, and refining often happens overseas, creating supply chain risks. The Salton Sea region in California offers a potential solution with its lithium-rich geothermal brines, which could be extracted more sustainably if the right technology is applied.

Clean Lithium Extraction from Geothermal Brines

One way to address this challenge is by using direct lithium extraction (DLE) from geothermal brines in the Salton Sea. Unlike traditional methods, DLE avoids evaporation ponds, reducing water and land use. The process could be co-located with existing geothermal power plants, leveraging their brine byproduct and minimizing new infrastructure. A pilot facility could start small, producing around 1,000 tons of lithium per year, before scaling up to meet a significant portion of U.S. demand. Key benefits include:

• Lower environmental impact: DLE reduces water usage by about 50% compared to evaporation ponds and avoids the ecological damage of hard-rock mining.
• Local supply chain: Domestic production reduces reliance on imports and shortens transportation routes, lowering carbon footprints.
• Economic revitalization: The Salton Sea region, with high unemployment, could gain jobs and investment.

Stakeholder Engagement and Execution

For this to work, collaboration with key stakeholders is essential. Automakers, for example, may be willing to sign long-term purchase agreements for sustainably sourced lithium, especially as environmental regulations tighten. Geothermal plants could monetize their brine waste, while local communities would need assurances that the project won’t harm the environment. A phased approach could help mitigate risks:

1. Initial R&D: Secure funding for lab-scale testing to confirm DLE viability with Salton Sea brines.
2. Pilot facility: Partner with a geothermal plant to build a small-scale operation and validate economics.
3. Full-scale production: Expand to meet a substantial share of U.S. lithium demand, possibly refining lithium hydroxide for higher margins.

Comparison with Existing Efforts

Several companies are already exploring lithium extraction in the Salton Sea, but this approach could differentiate itself by focusing on optimizing DLE for lower energy and chemical use. For example, while some competitors use solvent extraction, alternative methods like adsorption or ion exchange might offer cost and efficiency advantages. Additionally, a strong emphasis on community engagement and environmental safeguards could help secure local support and faster permitting.

By prioritizing sustainability and local partnerships, this idea could help establish the U.S. as a leader in clean lithium production while addressing critical supply chain vulnerabilities.