Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
3 comments 
A Lithium Mine Worth Trillions in the U.S. Could Change the Game for Tesla and Global Mining: Elon Musk Is Already Preparing His Strategy to Dominate the Supply of the Most Coveted Mineral in the World
Imagine a single deposit of lithium capable of transforming the United States into the new global giant of this strategic mineral, with the potential to generate billion-dollar fortunes and give a boost to the business of none other than Elon Musk. This is what’s at stake with the discovery of the McDermitt Caldera, a massive mineral field recently revealed on the border between Nevada and Oregon, valued at US$ 1.5 trillion.
In addition to placing the country at the forefront of the lithium race, this finding could bolster the already colossal fortune of the owner of Tesla, whose industry directly relies on this metal for battery manufacturing. What seemed like a simple geological curiosity has now become a potential game-changer for global mining and the electric vehicle market.
A Prehistoric Volcano Hides the New White Gold Mine
The McDermitt Caldera is no ordinary deposit. According to a study released in 2023 and published by the magazine Unilad Tech, it formed approximately 16.4 million years ago after a colossal volcanic eruption. This explosion created a crater measuring an impressive 45 by 35 kilometers that, over time, filled with lithium-rich sediments.
-
Costing R$ 16,000, the new Yamaha features a 125 cc hybrid engine with electric assistance, delivers 8.3 hp, includes ABS, optimized fuel consumption, Y-Connect connectivity, 25 liters of storage space, and a surprising 4-year warranty in the urban segment.
-
Larger than entire cities in Brazil: BYD is building a 4.6 km² complex in Bahia with a capacity for 600,000 vehicles per year, but the discovery of 163 workers in conditions analogous to slavery has shaken the entire project.
-
With an investment of R$ 612 million, a capacity to process 1.2 million liters of milk per day, Piracanjuba inaugurates a mega cheese factory that increases national production, reduces dependence on imports, and repositions Brazil on the global dairy map.
-
Brazilian city gains industrial hub for 85 companies that is equivalent to 55 football fields.
Recent research has shown that the lithium present in the drilled samples has a concentration of 2.4% by weight, far exceeding the global average of just 0.4%. This positions the caldera as one of the most promising deposits on the planet, possibly even surpassing the famous Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, which was previously considered the largest global reserve.
It is estimated that the site contains between 20 and 40 million metric tons of lithium, which could put the United States at the forefront of global mineral production.
Why Does Elon Musk Stand to Gain from This Treasure?
The race for lithium is not just a mining game. It is a fundamental component for the clean energy and electric mobility sector. The metal is key to the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, used in virtually all modern electric vehicles (EVs).
Who is at the center of this revolution? Elon Musk, CEO and co-founder of Tesla. His 100% electric car company relies heavily on a stable and competitive supply of lithium to maintain production and market advantage.
With the opening of a new source of lithium on American soil, Musk could reduce logistical costs, minimize dependence on foreign suppliers, and accelerate the energy transition he champions even further. In addition, he has publicly stated Tesla’s interest in entering the lithium mining sector to secure its own supply.
In a 2020 interview, Musk was direct: “Lithium is not as abundant as people think. We are considering extracting and processing lithium directly if we can’t secure fair prices.” (Source: CNBC).
Now, with the McDermitt Caldera on the radar, this strategy gains even more traction.
Global Lithium Production Is Dominated by China, Australia, and South America
The impact of the discovery goes far beyond Musk’s business. Currently, global lithium production is dominated by China, Australia, and South America. The United States, despite its potential, has still played a secondary role in supplying this mineral.
If the exploration of the McDermitt Caldera advances successfully and sustainably, the country could become a leader in lithium supply, reducing its external dependence and strengthening the local industry.
This is particularly strategic at a time of increasing commercial tension with China, which today dominates much of the global battery supply chain.
Furthermore, as noted by the site Mining.com, the potential of the McDermitt is so high that it could “totally change the balance of the global lithium market in the coming years.”
Challenges and Opportunities
While enthusiasm is high, there are still considerable challenges to face. Lithium mining, especially in clay deposits like the McDermitt Caldera, requires innovative and environmentally friendly extraction methods.
Environmentalists are already warning of the risk of environmental degradation if the project is not conducted with due care. On the other hand, several American companies and startups are developing technologies to make extraction cleaner and more efficient.
According to Lithium Americas, one of the companies interested in the project, the exploration of the site could generate thousands of jobs and billions in investment in the local economy (Source: Reuters).
The Future of American Lithium: A Race That Is Just Beginning
With an estimated potential of US$ 1.5 trillion, the McDermitt Caldera is already among the largest mineral discoveries of the decade. And it is no exaggeration to say that it could reshape the map of global lithium mining.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Tesla are closely monitoring every step. After all, dominating the supply of this essential mineral could secure Musk not only a significant boost to his fortune, but also an even more central role in the global race for a sustainable future. The game is just beginning. Who will come out on top?
Did you like the article? Then share it with your friends and leave a comment with your opinion on this amazing discovery! Do you think Elon Musk will really benefit from this new American treasure? We want to know what you think.
Boa matéria.
Mas mudando de assunto, porque tanta poluição visual ?
Torna a leituras cansativa e desinteressante. Há momentos que ocupam 70 % ou mais da tela.
Pensem nisso.
Acho Musik vai se dá muito bem
Não sei onde e como estas notícias sobre mega jazidas sendo descobertas pelo mundo são obtidas.
Qual a razão ou sentido de publicar notícias sensacionais e sem sentido?