Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the ancient Appalachians mountain system holds 2.5 million tons of the critical element lithium.

The head of the Environmental Protection Agency is calling a newly identified lithium deposit in the Appalachian Mountains — ...

Federal scientists said the region contains enough of the critical battery metal to replace American imports for 328 years.

The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed a vast lithium deposit in the Appalachian Mountains, estimated at 2.3 million metric tons of lithium oxide—enough to potentially replace centuries of imports.

While the figure is an official USGS estimate, extracting the mineral poses major technical and environmental challenges.

The state agency charged with protecting the environment may have made a big mistake -- one that already seems to be impacting the North Carolina mountains and the Appalachian Trail. TheN.C.

Research Location: Appalachian Mountains, VA, USA Conservation Partners: Wild Virginia and the Wildlands Network In Central Appalachia, mountaintop and surface mining converted over 1.5 million acres ...