The U.S. government is providing funding and resources to support lithium mining to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign lithium supply. The U.S. government is supporting the development of a domestic lithium industry to secure a reliable supply of critical minerals for what is being called “clean technology” and “renewable energy.” The U.S. faces challenges in scaling up its lithium extraction, refining, and production capabilities since China holds the market as the global extractor and distributor of lithium. The Biden Administration has opened up vast funding streams, to the benefit of Elon Musk and various Silicon Valley investors and Trump campaign funders, in this race against China. They’re ALL in.
North Carolina
Production and extraction of lithium is to begin again in 2027 in North Carolina. Mining for lithium is one of the most toxic practices that affects water, air, wildlife & humans. The triumphant stories of the people of Appalachia (specifically North Carolina) building back their communities today may be for nothing. They may have just wasted all their efforts and will most likely need to move by 2027. If they are living anywhere near the mines they won’t have a choice in the matter. They will be escorted off their properties by authorities. The risk of living anywhere near the mines is far too high.
Nevada
The Biden Administration provided over $2 billion in funding to build out Thacker Pass, the largest lithium mine in North America. The Thacker Pass Lithium Mine is a project of Lithium Nevada, LLC, a subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. The mine is expected to reach full capacity in 2028.
Arkansas
ExxonMobil will be, or has already started, drilling its first lithium well in southern Arkansas and aims to be a leading supplier for electric vehicles by 2030 targeting its first lithium production for 2027.
Michigan
Although Michigan currently doesn’t have any lithium mines in operation, I imagine the old abandoned automotive plants may be used to create battery plants for lithium. In September 2024, the U.S. Energy Department awarded $355 million in federal funding to four Michigan projects to boost domestic [lithium] battery production. The grants include projects in Genesee, Muskegon, Marquette, and Wayne counties.
Washington
In 2023 Bellingham Washington celebrated their newest addition: a battery plant located in Fairhaven at the Port of Bellingham. This is a key step in the expansion of Corvus Energy’s US operations. Prior to launching their plant in Bellingham, Corvus’ only other operation was in Bergen, Norway. Corvus Energy provides high-power energy storage in the form of modular lithium-ion battery systems to the maritime industry. Its purpose-built, field-proven battery systems provide sustained power to hybrid and all-electric heavy industrial equipment, including large marine propulsion drives.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has received funding for lithium research and development, including:
Dept. of Energy grant
Penn State researchers received a $4.99 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a domestic supply chain for critical minerals. The project will involve extracting lithium from coal mining waste, and evaluating the material for use in magnets and super alloys.
University of Pittsburgh research
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered a large amount of lithium in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale gas wells. The study suggests that the waste-waters from these wells could supply 30–40% of the US’s lithium demand.
Eureka
The Williamsport-based company Eureka aims to develop a sustainable lithium supply chain in North America.
Lithium is a key component of rechargeable batteries for cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The US is currently reliant on lithium imports, which poses supply chain risks. Developing Pennsylvania’s lithium resources could reduce the need for imports.
What are the challenges posed when drawing lithium from fracking waste-water?
Wastewater disposal
The remaining wastewater will need to be disposed of, and this could be an issue.
Climate, health, and water quality
There are environmental tradeoffs to consider, such as the impact on climate, health, and water quality.
Fracking
Some are concerned that becoming dependent on the Marcellus Shale for lithium would perpetuate fracking in Pennsylvania and drastically reduce quality of life.
Mississippi
About a third of the lithium that lives in a narrow band stretching from Texas to Alabama is in Mississippi, running from north of Vicksburg to Lucedale. The Smackover Formation, a rock formation that spans six states, includes parts of Mississippi and contains lithium.
Battery manufacturing
A new battery cell factory is being built in Marshall County, Mississippi by Amplify Cell Technologies. The factory will produce lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells for electric commercial vehicles and industrial applications. The project is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and invest about $1.9 billion.
Lithium in the Mississippi River
A study found that lithium concentrations in the lower Mississippi River and salt-wedge estuary vary slightly, on the short-term.
Alabama
Alabama leads the charge in lithium-ion battery production with the nation’s first graphite processing site. In the heart of Central Alabama lies Coosa County, home to the country’s first site that will process coated spherical graphite, or CSPG. The mineral is used to manufacture a lithium-ion battery at Westwater Resources. The plant is set to be fully operational by the end of 2024. Westwater Resources is seeking debt financing to complete the construction of Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant in east-central Alabama:
Debt financing
Westwater is negotiating with lenders for a $150 million secured debt facility to complete construction. The company has invested approximately $120.4 million since construction began.
Off-take agreements
Westwater has secured off-take agreements with SK On and Stellantis for 100% of its Kellyton Phase 1 capacity.
Progress
Westwater has made significant progress with lenders on debt financing. The company has engaged McDermott Will & Emery as counsel and Cantor Fitzgerald as its investment banker.
Timeline
Westwater is targeting a closing in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Westwater Resources is an energy technology company that develops battery-grade natural graphite. The Kellyton Graphite Plant will produce natural graphite anode material for battery manufacturers in the United States.
Ohio
Ohio has received multiple funding sources for lithium-related projects, including:
- Cirba SolutionsThe Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $74.9 million grant to Cirba Solutions to expand its lithium-ion recycling facility in Lancaster, Ohio. The expansion is expected to create up to 150 jobs.
- SEMCORPSEMCORP is investing $916 million to produce a critical lithium-ion battery component in Sidney, Ohio. The facility will be located at the Sidney Ohio Industrial Park at Millcreek and Kuther Road.
- MESC officeThe MESC office awarded over $1.8 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support projects related to making, processing, and recycling battery materials in Ohio.
California
Construction of the first large-scale direct lithium extraction plant in the U.S. began January 2024 in California’s “Lithium Valley”— igniting potential to transform the Salton Sea area into a significant source of the material critical to something called “energy transition.”
What does “energy transition” mean?
Energy transition means a complete transition away from the current system into systems that will use lithium-ion batteries to run computers, electric vehicles, cell phones and artificial intelligence. This will probably also mean an increase in energy bills and fines in the form of higher taxes for companies (and possibly individuals) who don’t participate in the “energy transition” of our planet.
New York
On October 3, 2022 Governor Kathy Hochul announced Electrovaya, Inc., a producer of lithium-ion batteries for transportation and utility storage, has selected the Town of Ellicott in Chautauqua County as the location for its first U.S. plant. The publicly traded company will create its newest production facility, generating up to 250 jobs and, when fully operational, producing over a GWh of batteries annually. The investment supports the broader New Energy New York initiative, whose goal is to create a National Hub for Battery Innovation and Manufacturing.
Electrovaya Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications in North America.
Research your own Community
There has been and continues to be widespread approval from the Biden Administration, up to the very last moment of the President’s second term, for the build- out of lithium mines (and plants) all across the United States. We strongly suggest you simply research your county name and lithium and see what pops up. No county is immune to either battery plants holding the lithium batteries which is very toxic, or the mining for lithium itself. Even if your county has no plans to build out the mines or plants, your neighboring counties will produce pollution to the extent your county will be affected anyway.
When? What will happen?
From the sweeping, generic general research I’ve done (I am not a researcher!) this all looks to be up and running by 2028. This will drastically and irreversibly change our quality of life, the wildlife’s quality of life, access to clean water, air and soil. Nothing will be unaffected by this overwhelming build-out of toxic plants and mines.
Lithium Battery Plants Aren’t As Toxic As Lithium Mines
On the contrary, lithium battery plants can be dangerous and toxic due to the chemicals and materials used in their production and the risk of fire or explosion.
Chemicals
Lithium battery plants use many hazardous chemicals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and organic solvents. These chemicals can be harmful to human health, and workers may be exposed to them during the manufacturing process.
Fire risk
Lithium batteries are highly flammable and can catch fire or explode if not handled properly. The smoke from a lithium battery fire can contain toxic chemicals and metals, such as hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, and manganese to emit into the atmosphere and have long term effects even after the fire is extinguished.
Environmental impact
Lithium batteries contain potentially toxic materials that can impact the environment. Lithium ion batteries also contain “forever chemicals” called PFAS, which can be dangerous to the environment.
Some examples of the dangers of lithium battery plants include:
SK Battery America Inc.
In December 2023, the US Department of Labor cited SK Battery for exposing employees to levels of cobalt, nickel, and total dust above the Permissible Exposure Limit.
South Korean lithium battery plant
In June 2024, a fire at a lithium battery plant in South Korea killed at least 22 people. The fire was caused by a series of battery cells exploding inside a warehouse.
Based on the saturation of practically every county in the United States, It’s clear THIS is why Biden was forced to step down and suspend his 2024 Presidential campaign. He had a lot of work to do to get the funding allocated to reshape the country into a toxic waste dump. Harris’ presidential campaign was placed out in front as a distraction.
Connection to Covid
This seems to be why it’s important to generate marketing around naming new viruses. You’ll probably find a mysterious and coincidental connection between a Covid diagnosis and what environmental toxic poisoning feels like. Practically no one will associate the rise of chronic illness as a result of these toxic plans with the plans themselves. Doctors will diagnose patients with Covid or some other medical diagnosis, like cancer.
Are there any lithium mines currently in operation in the United States?
As of Today November 1, 2024 there is only ONE lithium mine running in the United States. It’s in Nevada. But in about 2 or 3 years time, most likely hundreds of battery plants and lithium mines will be running in the United States. This sudden outpouring of toxins in an environment not accustomed to it is bound to have some serious health side effects on the US population at large. But again, your doctor will diagnose you with “Covid” or some other virus, or cancer, no one’s ever heard of.
But, the EPA will fine the industry for not following regulation and safe practices, right?
Don’t count on it. This is why the EPA had to lower or even completely invert its standards for what defines environmental health and protection. The Environmental Protection Agency is a hollow shell of what it was meant for: to protect the environment from toxic industry.
What exactly are these lithium batteries used for? Am I a bad person for using lithium batteries to power up my Christmas lights?
These mines and plants are the key to the AI revolution, electric vehicles and the vision of the technocrats, especially those that come out of Silicon Valley. Check to see if your community has a battery recycling center and deposit your small batteries in that center. No, you’re not a bad person for using lithium-based batteries.
Who is benefiting?
Silicon Valley investors and shareholders who are openly funding Trumps Presidential campaign will benefit from the rollout of technology such as AI and electric vehicles. And this technology cannot happen without opening lithium mines and battery plants.
But Trump understands the insidious nature of the Green Energy Initiatives
The Trump campaign is coyly standing in front of these green energy initiatives that include lithium mining and the opening of lithium plants and is acting as the President of the Potemkin Village, marketing all of these invasive toxic mines and plants as “jobs for Americans.”
If Harris wins the Presidential election maybe she will stop the lithium mines and battery plants from being built in our communities?
It’s doubtful. The Harris campaign is using the buildout of these mines and plants as talking points for “green initiatives that benefit the environment.” Many members of her campaign and even her own husband benefit from the build-out of these toxic mines and plants.
How do we stop this? What can we do?
You can’t stop it. It’s already happening. You can move as far away as possible from lithium mines and lithium battery plants. Don’t put your children on electric school buses. Don’t buy electric vehicles. Keep your current technology as long as possible. Don’t use artificial intelligence programs (AI). Find good, reliable sources that speak of the dangers of this new technology and how it is actually antithetical to the health of the planet, and you, and share it with your local lawmakers.
Lithium is the new oil.
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