In the coming years, with the energy transition, the US, like other industrialized countries, will need much more lithium. Demand for this chemical element has skyrocketed due to its use in batteries for electric and hybrid cars, laptops and mobile phones.

"Global demand for lithium is growing at about 20 percent a year ," says analyst Chris Berry, noting that most of the lithium is now mined in South America and Australia, while China dominates the global lithium-ion battery supply chain, accounting for 60 -70%.

There is only one lithium mine operating in the US, in Nevada, which produces less than 2% of the world's total. In America, they expect to expand domestic production. Lithium mining and recovery projects are in various stages of development in Maine, North Carolina and California.

Their opponents express concern that they could damage the sacred lands of indigenous peoples and endanger fragile ecosystems and euronews wildlife. Proponents say they could benefit the environment in the long run by getting fossil fuel-burning cars off the road.