"California's Hidden 'White Gold' Reserves: A Potential Game-Changer for the US Economy"

Scientists have estimated that there could be a staggering 18 million tons of lithium, worth $540 billion, beneath California's Salton Sea. While hailed as a significant discovery for the electric vehicle industry, concerns arise regarding the mining process's impact on the environment and local communities. The mining could further strain the already dwindling water supply from the Colorado River, which is crucial for agriculture and thousands of residents. Additionally, the mining may negatively affect air quality and Indigenous cultural sites in the region.