Speculators have rushed to the Western U.S. to mine for lithium, a sought-after metal that is used in electric-car batteries – but many of the companies involved intend to stake a claim to land with lithium and sell the land, rather than actually mining it, reporter Alex Lubben reported with a grant and editorial support from the Fund. For Vice, Lubben reported on the lithium boom sparked by legislation that President Joe Biden signed last year that provides tax credits for companies to produce electric-car batteries using material sourced in the U.S. or a small list of other countries.
The rush for lithium is on, but grantee finds few mines will actually open
