In little reported news, that is likely depressed because it would spoil the Democrat’s agenda to increase taxes, is the McDermitt Caldera lithium deposit recently valued at $1.5 trillion along the Oregon-Nevada border.

A team of scientists made the discovery in a volcanic hotspot along the border in 2023, which they now determined it could be one of the largest lithium deposits ever found in the United States and valued at $1.5 trillion.

Lithium could revitalize America's electric vehicle industry. Lithium is an essential component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, making it one of the most sought-after minerals globally.

In 2020, Elon Musk announced a new generation of electric vehicle batteries at Tesla's "Battery Day" event. These batteries, described as "tabless" and cylindrical, are expected to provide five times more energy, six times more power, 16% greater driving range compared to Tesla's current cells, and have the same time to recharge as it takes to fill up a tank of gas. Tesla aims to reduce the cost of its battery cells to below $100 per kilowatt hour (kWh), which is expected to make electric cars roughly the same price as combustion engine vehicles, aiming for a $25,000 electric car in the future.

The Trump Administration is eager to reduce its reliance on foreign lithium for sovereignty reasons, and the use of slave labor by foreign countries. A Republican bill, HB 2425, passed the Oregon House with support of leadership, which creates a task force to look at who is supplying the goods and services that public bodies in this state buy and to make sure that the products don’t involve forced labor or child labor. Will Democrat leadership apply this policy to the McDermitt Caldera?

According to a 2023 study published in Minerals, the McDermitt Caldera could hold between 20 and 40 million metric tons of lithium. Expert analysts state that if efficient extraction methods prove efficient, the US could position itself as a leading global supplier of the valuable metal. In other words, if all goes well, a discovery like this could secure leadership in the US battery industry.

In march the environmentalists looking for another spotted owl theory that they still haven’t proven. Out of controversy and confusion, which direction will Oregon's leadership take? Will they continue to push their EV agenda to reduce climate change while providing jobs and a chance to reduce taxes to make Oregon more attractive to business, or yield to environmentalists? They have the community questioning whether McDermitt Caldera will destroy the fragile desert ecosystems, including habitats for the sage-grouse and pronghorn antelope.

The McDermitt Caldera’s lithium is trapped in claystone. It evolves an intricate extraction techniques like acid leaching are required to safely and adequately extract the lithium. Nevada is estimated to have a higher concentration, but mining companies are still exploring Oregon’s side.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

There is also opposition from tribes surrounding the McDermitt Calder with a rich cultural heritage area for several Indigenous tribes. Tribal leaders are calling for the US government to halt mining plans to protect sacred lands and ceremonial sites that have been integral to tribes' cultural identity for generations.

In order for Oregon’s mining proposals to progress, investors need stability in policies that don’t compete with Nevada to remain optimistic about a secure ongoing demand for lithium.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-05-19 22:39:59

Last Update: 2025-05-20 00:31:55