Skip to content

Monday, Oct. 13, 2025

Is Nevada home to the only operating lithium production mine in the US?

Kate Reynolds, The Nevada Independent
yes

The only site in the U.S. where lithium is extracted and produced is located in Nevada, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. 

Located in Esmeralda County, the Silver Peak mine has been active since 1965. Today, it is operated by North Carolina-based chemical manufacturer Albemarle.

The U.S. imports the majority of its lithium, but a booming electric vehicle industry has increased interest in boosting domestic production. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has spoken publicly of his desire to create a “lithium loop” in Nevada and make the state — which is the most mineral-wealthy in the nation — the home base for all lithium-related industries.

As of Oct. 10, the Bureau of Land Management had approved two future lithium mine projects in Nevada. Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass mine was approved in 2021 and began construction in 2023, with completion set for 2027. Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge mine was approved in 2024 and has yet to begin construction.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

About fact briefs

Fact briefs are bite-sized, well-sourced explanations that offer clear "yes" or "no" answers to questions, confusions, and unsupported claims circulating online. They rely on publicly available data and documents, often from the original source. Fact briefs are written and published by newsrooms in the Gigafact network.

See all fact briefs

The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

Learn More

Latest Fact Briefs

Be a Friend of facts

Help us fund more great fact briefs like this one.