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USGS uses machine learning to show large lithium potential in Arkansas

(www.usgs.gov)
282 points antidnan | 2 comments | 22 Oct 24 17:05 UTC | HN request time: 1.836s | source
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rmm ◴[22 Oct 24 23:24 UTC] No.41919813[source]▶
Work in this industry (hard rock mining).

Lithium supply is not an issue. Here in oz we have plenty, there is surplus in market (see current lithium prices).

Conversion however is an issue, majority of plants are in China. Build some refiners that turn it into lithium carbonate and oz will fill them.

replies(1): >>41919857 #
1. specialist ◴[22 Oct 24 23:33 UTC] No.41919857[source]▶
I eagerly anticipate the day Australia becomes the World's Forge.

All those minerals. All that sunshine. Terrific combo.

h/t Saul Griffith.

replies(1): >>41920337 #
2. jaza ◴[23 Oct 24 00:40 UTC] No.41920337[source]▶
We could start by at least processing our own steel (we still process some, but not nearly as much as we used to). Newcastle Steelworks, just north of Sydney, was back in the day one of the biggest in the world, but it closed down in the 90s. Nowadays, we ship iron ore (our number 1 export) to China, and literally ship that same material back to Australia as steel. Insane!