The US has enormous deposits of critical minerals like lithium right here at home. So why are we looking at mining the ocean floor and asteroids?

This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s Future Perfect team. It was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

A lithium recovery demonstration plant at the Salton Sea. Photo by Darco Productions.

Help us plan for the future of Today, Explained by filling out a brief survey: ⁠⁠voxmedia.com/survey⁠⁠. Thank you!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11/11/2020: Elections, COVID, Sports, Michael Lopez