Three volcanologists and geologists from Lithium Americas Corporation, GNS Science, and Oregon State University in the United States examined the McDermitt Caldera, an extinct volcano straddling the Nevada-Oregon border, and found it may host part of a globally significant lithium deposit. Lithium is a highly valuable mineral for many industries, especially its key role in batteries for smartphones and electric vehicles.
In his research published in Science Advances, Thomas Benson, Matthew Coble, and John Dilles analyzed portions of the caldera and concluded the area holds considerable lithium production potential. While the deposit has been suspected for years, this study confirms the scale of the resource.
In recent times lithium has surged in value due to its widespread use in a wide range of battery technologies. As prices rise, scientists at mining companies such as Lithium Americas are actively seeking profitable mineral deposits to extract this increasingly sought-after material.
The McDermitt caldera is a volcanic formation measuring roughly 45 kilometers in length and 35 kilometers in width. It is believed to be the oldest caldera sequence linked to the Yellowstone eruption. A large lava dome formed from eruptions around 19 million years ago, but the dome later collapsed, creating a caldera after an eruption a little over 16 million years ago.
In 2017, another team of researchers found evidence that a section of the caldera known as Thacker Pass could be one of the largest lithium sources ever identified. Lithium Americas holds the rights to this site and has begun prospecting mining. Local opposition and concerns from Native American communities arose, but the company ultimately secured the right to operate there.
Since then, researchers have continued collecting and analyzing samples to determine where mining should begin. To identify the best location, experts believe an explanation of how lithium formed in the caldera is essential. The researchers propose a theory that Lithium Americas plans to leverage for its mining project.
The theory suggests that hydrothermal enrichment occurred after the volcano erupted, pushing deep underground magma toward the caldera center and forming the regional mountains. Faults, cracks, and fractures created pathways for lithium to migrate to the surface, and the mineral transformation from smectite to illite along the basin’s southern edge contributed to the high lithium abundance. These processes, the team argues, explain the exceptional lithium presence in the area.
The company envisions significant regional benefits but faces ongoing concerns from neighbors worried about environmental impacts and the peace of the region amid mining activities.
Reference work: Science Advances. The study is cited to support ongoing discussions about resource potential and responsible development in the region.
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Environmental authorities indicate ongoing assessment and oversight will be essential as exploration continues in the McDermitt area.
For further reading, the referenced research is documented in the form of a Science Advances article and related technical materials.