Lithium for Tesla, EVs, batteries: Touring Silver Peak, Nevada

SILVER PEAK, Nev. — On the edge of Western Nevada, hours from a major city and miles down private dirt roads, lies the United States’ only lithium-producing plant.

The nearest town is Tonopah — population 2,179 — where a prospector discovered silver at the turn of the 20th century. The town’s mining roots are still on display, but the action has shifted to the country’s largest lithium brine operation 45 minutes away.

Silver Peak has been producing lithium since the 1960s. Specialty chemicals company Albemarle acquired the site in 2015 from Foot Mineral Company and has owned it ever since.

Silver Peak has gained newfound attention in recent years as the energy and transportation…