By Texas is becoming a major center for mining lithium and other rare elements. The federal government is encouraging American production of lithium and other materials required for manufacturing batteries, solar cells, microchips, wind turbines, and cruise missiles.
China’s dominance in the production of lithium has led to concerns about national security and financial risk. The only operating lithium mine in the US is in Nevada, and the nation’s only lithium refinery is on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Oil companies are gearing up lithium projects statewide.
