Asger Risom
The US has identified enough lithium in Appalachia to cover centuries of imports, but major challenges remain in turning reserves into supply.
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A major discovery in the United States could reshape the global race for one of the world’s most critical resources.
New estimates suggest the country may hold enough lithium to dramatically reduce its reliance on imports.
A strategic discovery
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has identified an estimated 2.3 million metric tons of lithium oxide in parts of Appalachia, according to Fortune.
That amount could replace roughly 328 years of US lithium imports at current consumption levels, highlighting the scale of the find.
“This research shows that the Appalachians contain enough lithium to help meet the nation’s growing needs,” USGS director Ned Mamula said.
Why lithium matters
Lithium is a core component of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.
Its importance is growing rapidly as industries shift toward electrification and renewable energy, driving a surge in global demand.
The USGS expects global lithium production capacity to double by 2029, underscoring how critical the material has become to future industries.
China’s dominance
Despite rising demand, the United States remains heavily dependent on imports, particularly from South America.
At the same time, China dominates the production of finished lithium-ion batteries, giving it significant control over the supply chain.
This dependency has economic and political implications, especially as tariffs on Chinese battery imports continue to increase costs for US companies.
Scale of the reserves
The newly identified lithium deposits are spread across multiple regions.
Around 1.43 million metric tons are located in the southern Appalachians, particularly in the Carolinas, while another 900,000 metric tons are estimated to lie beneath parts of Maine and New Hampshire.
The scale is significant: the reserves could power up to 130 million electric vehicles or produce billions of consumer devices, according to USGS estimates.
Extraction challenge
However, turning these reserves into usable supply is far from straightforward.
Most US lithium production infrastructure is located elsewhere, with only a limited number of processing facilities and a single active mine in Nevada.
In 2024, the US produced just 610 metric tons of lithium — about 0.3% of global output — highlighting the gap between potential and reality.
Race to catch up
Efforts are underway to close that gap.
The Department of Energy has committed funding to new extraction projects, including a major initiative in Arkansas aimed at producing battery-grade lithium.
Companies are also exploring new technologies to extract lithium more efficiently from previously inaccessible sources.
High stakes ahead
The discovery offers the US a potential path toward greater mineral independence at a time of intensifying global competition.
But analysts caution that developing these resources will take time, investment and regulatory support.
For now, the find represents a significant opportunity — one that could reshape supply chains if it can be fully realised.
Sources: Fortune, USGS
