Lithium: Court Ruling On Colorado River Access Threatens Major Lithium Development

Lithium is the natural occurring salt that helps power many of the batteries and electronics the modern economy provides so many so many new opportunities. A recent court decision on an extremely valuable lithium deposit poses new challenges for the many companies seeking to mine and process it according to reporting in capitolandmain.com.

Imperial County, California which faces some of the highest unemployment rates in the nation and a largely agricultural economy is known for fertile soil, blistering temperatures and two other highly interesting resources: a potential vast geothermal energy opportunity and enough lithium to potential power up to 375 million cell phones.

The county also sits astride the Colorado River which is the freshwater resource for almost the entire county along with several neighboring states and its neighboring counties in the region, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal for the State of California just sided with numerous environmental groups in overturning previous decisions allowing for the ongoing development of geothermal energy and lithium deposits on the grounds that Imperial County may not have enough Colorado River water to process lithium from ancient salt brine.

As this court battle continues, a historic economic opportunity hangs in the balance as other states including Nevada, which has significant lithium deposits in the northern portion of the state, continue to move forward.

The Association of Western Employers will continue to track the development of lithium along with other key rare earth elements that are key to the continued growth of domestic supply chains across America.