not only does china have twice as much as the u.s., but it s also where other countries send their raw lithium to be turned into batteries. that has us automakers sounding the alarm. america s only operating lithium site is here in silver peak, nevada. population 142. it s a brian operation. meaning the lithium is found in salty water underground. the lithium giant pumps the brine into these ponds where it dries out in the scorching nevada sun, leaving behind concentrated lithium. the race is on to build new u.s. lithium mines in places like nevada. pioneer plans to mine rock here and soak it in sulfuric acid. this is how they discovered lithium here. these white rocks contain