Nevada’s ancient supervolcano yields world’s biggest ‘white gold’ lithium deposit worth over $1 trillion
Published on Jul 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM (UTC-4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Jul 16, 2025 at 1:25 PM (UTC-4)
Edited by
Daisy Edwards
Handily for the US, Nevada’s ancient supervolcano, the McDermitt Caldera, yields the world’s biggest ‘white gold’ lithium deposit ever, and it’s worth over $1 trillion.
Lithium is massively sought after because it is the best metal to use to make batteries, and the demand has only skyrocketed as more technology is invented and built.
The McDermitt Caldera used to be a big volcanic lake, which formed big clay deposits over 16 million years, and now it is predicted to house nearly half of all the world’s lithium reserves.
The supervolcano, more colloquially known as ‘Thacker Pass’, could become a main source of jobs and industry in America if the major corporate players’ plans for a 2027 drilling start go ahead.
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Inside the world’s biggest ‘white gold’ lithium deposit
Introducing the McDermitt Caldera AKA the ‘Thacker Pass’ in Nevada, and it is estimated to contain over $1 trillion worth of very important ‘white gold’ lithium clay, which is a very important ingredient in tech design.
As more and more technology has been built and with the meteoric rise in popularity of EVs, it’s no surprise that this essential battery component is in heavy demand.
Thacker Pass could create 40,000 tonnes of ‘white gold’ lithium annually, which is enough for 800,000 EVs to be built every single year, as well as other technology like mobile phones.
All that glitters is ‘white gold’
Major corporate players are wanting to get in on the action, with Exxonmobil and General Motors investing, as well as Tesla building its own processing factory for it.
This discovery could mean enormous things for the EV and tech industry and create thousands of new jobs because the Caldera alone contains what is considered to be nearly half of the world’s known lithium reserves.
Extracting lithium clay at these sorts of unprecedented levels will prove difficult, but this discovery will change the world of tech, EVs, and job security in America as we know it.
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Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
