Scientists have uncovered one of the world’s most significant lithium reserves hidden beneath California’s Salton Sea, potentially transforming the global clean-energy supply chain. • The discovery includes an estimated 18 million tons of lithium, often called “white gold.” • Lithium is a critical material for electric vehicle batteries, grid storage, and renewable energy systems. • The deposit is valued at approximately $540 billion at current market prices. • Extracted from geothermal brines,