The United States stands on the brink of a new energy era. Deep beneath the ancient volcanic crater of the McDermitt Caldera, straddling the Oregon-Nevada border, geologists have uncovered a lithium deposit so vast it could reshape the nation’s battery industry and supercharge the electric vehicle (EV) revolution.
Yet, as excitement mounts over this $1.5 trillion “white gold” find, fierce debates are erupting over what-and who-might be sacrificed in the race for clean energy.
The Discovery That Could Power America’s Future
A Treasure Beneath the Caldera
Recent geological studies have confirmed that the McDermitt Caldera holds between 20 and 40 million metric tons of lithium, making it potentially the largest known deposit in the United States-and possibly the world.
For context, this dwarfs even Bolivia’s famed Salar de Uyuni, long considered the world’s richest lithium source. At current market prices, the caldera’s lithium is valued at an astonishing $1.5 trillion.
This deposit is not just big; it’s strategically vital. Lithium is a critical component in the batteries that power everything from smartphones to electric cars.
With global demand for lithium expected to rise forty-fold by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency, the McDermitt find could help the U.S. secure its energy future and reduce dependence on foreign imports.
Economic Promise and Industry Hopes
The McDermitt Lithium Project, led by companies like Jindalee Resources and Lithium Americas, is projected to produce 1.8 million tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate over its first 40 years, with a projected lifespan of over six decades.
Major automakers, including General Motors, have already invested nearly $1 billion in nearby projects, and the U.S. Department of Energy has issued loans exceeding $2 billion to jumpstart domestic lithium production.
Industry advocates see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a homegrown supply chain for EV batteries, create high-paying mining jobs, and cement America’s role as a leader in the global clean energy transition.
The Human and Environmental Toll
Indigenous Communities Sound the Alarm
But as mining companies and investors celebrate, local communities-especially Indigenous tribes-are raising urgent alarms. The McDermitt Caldera sits on land of deep spiritual, historical, and ecological significance.
For the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe, Thacker Pass (the southern end of the caldera) is not only a site of ancestral heritage but also the location of a 19th-century massacre.
Tribal leaders and activists argue that federal agencies failed to conduct meaningful consultation before approving mining permits, a claim echoed by recent reports from the ACLU and Human Rights Watch.
“If the BLM permits the mine at Thacker Pass it will mean our history and culture have been destroyed,” said Janet Davis, chair of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.
Wildlife and Water at Risk
Environmentalists warn that large-scale lithium extraction could devastate the high desert ecosystem. The region is home to pronghorn antelope, sage-grouse, golden eagles, and medicinal plants vital to Indigenous traditions.
Mining operations are expected to consume nearly two billion gallons of water annually in an area already suffering from severe drought. The process also risks releasing toxic heavy metals and generating substantial carbon emissions-over 150,000 tons of CO₂ per year, according to company estimates.
Community Divisions and Economic Dilemmas
Not everyone in the region opposes the mines. In Malheur County, Oregon’s poorest, some residents see a chance for jobs, infrastructure, and economic revival.
Even within tribes, opinions are divided: some leaders have signed agreements with mining firms in hopes of securing economic benefits, while others remain staunchly opposed. The debate highlights the difficult trade-offs between economic opportunity and cultural, environmental preservation.
The Technical Challenge: Extracting Lithium from Clay
Unlike the brine-based lithium operations in South America, the McDermitt deposit is locked in claystone, specifically a mineral called illite.
Extracting lithium from this material requires advanced chemical leaching techniques, which are still being refined. While companies promise closed-loop systems to minimize water use and pollution, critics remain skeptical about the long-term environmental impact.
What’s Next: A Test for America’s Clean Energy Future
The McDermitt Caldera lithium find is a double-edged sword. On one side, it offers a path to energy independence, green jobs, and a more sustainable future. On the other, it threatens to repeat the mistakes of past resource booms-sacrificing communities, culture, and ecosystems in the name of progress.
As the U.S. accelerates its clean energy transition, the choices made in places like McDermitt will set a precedent for how the nation balances climate action with justice and stewardship. Will America’s lithium rush fuel a brighter future for all, or leave new scars on the land and its people?
The world is watching-and so are those whose lives and histories are rooted in the volcanic soil of the McDermitt Caldera.