The US attempt to shift away from dependence on China for lithium, critical for batteries in electric vehicles and smartphones, has seen the Trump administration invest in Lithium Americas’ $3 billion Thacker Pass mine in Nevada. The renewed interest in developing the metal domestically has resulted in about 115 proposed mines popping up across the country.

But growing water scarcity in the western US as climate change takes effect could undercut lithium production, Northwestern University researchers said in a report.

Water scarcity has become a rising political, legal and financial obstacle as America races to build a domestic lithium industry, US researchers say, increasing the stakes on efforts to lessen its reliance on China.

Read more in Financial Times here.

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