Facility

Albemarle Silver Peak Lithium Brine Operation (Nevada, USA)

The only operating lithium mine in the continental United States; Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada. Albemarle pumps lithium brine from non-potable aquifers 300-2,000 feet below the surface through a wellfield producing up to 17.86 million gallons/day. Solar evaporation concentrates the brine over 12-18 months; final product is dried to lithium carbonate powder. Production: ~5,000-7,500 metric tons/year of lithium carbonate — a tiny fraction of global supply. Site has operated since 1966 (longest continuously operating lithium brine mine in the world). BLM approved an expansion permit in 2023. Qualifies for IRA domestic content requirements. Source: Albemarle corporate; Nevada BLM permit; USGS.