The demand for lithium has grown in recent years because of its use in rechargeable batteries for electric and hybrid cars, lawnmowers, laptops and cell phones.
Plumbago Mountain in western Maine is 'a potentially significant new lithium resource,' with a higher average lithium content than similar deposits around the world.
The U.S. will need far more lithium to achieve its clean energy goals, but the industry that mines, extracts and processes the chemical element faces a host of challenges from environmentalists, Indigenous groups and government regulators.