The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Reopening the Carolina Lithium Belt

This case study analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of reopening dormant mines in the Carolina Lithium Belt. The study examines the accuracy of a previous impact analysis published by one of the corporate stakeholders and finds the core findings to be consistent. Further analysis using IMPLAN software finds the occupational and educational profile of the new jobs to be consistent with the workforce in the three-county region. Environmental impacts show the largest increases in nitrogen and phosphorus release and in mineral usage. Shifts in global lithium supply, innovation in competing technologies, and political tensions add volatility to any projections of lithium mining’s impact.