US Lithium Production Spins Up.

Construction has begun on the first large-scale direct lithium extraction plant in the United States, located in California's Salton Sea region. The $1.85 billion project, spearheaded by Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc., aims to create a fully integrated lithium and renewable power production facility. The plant will combine a geothermal power plant with lithium production, making it the world's first facility to do so. The project has received support from major automakers, including General Motors and Stellantis. The direct extraction method used in the plant offers environmental advantages over traditional hard rock mining methods and has the potential to meet domestic lithium needs and create a self-sustaining supply chain. The state of California has also shown strong support for the project, allocating funds for research and development and establishing legislation to ensure local communities benefit from the industry's growth. [Extracted from the article]

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