These dismissive "oh this big event that's just occurred is uninteresting" comments on HN are always so weird. Like just because you don't see the ramifications doesn't mean they don't exist, why not keep an open mind?
Lithium and lithium batteries are a critical resource. If the US can mine the lithium, refine it, and turn it into batteries all domestically, that has big geopolitical implications.
It's not really a question of if the US can though, it's a question of will. Even before this finding the US had known massive lithium reserves that were essentially just sitting there idle. The US refining a larger chunk of the market is just a question of if we want to do it or continue outsourcing that. The US definitely have competent people (or still has access to, convincing international people to work here) able to build and operate the refining side of it. There's loads of capital available to build the refineries. The US just has to choose to do it.
Lithium and lithium batteries are a critical resource. If the US can mine the lithium, refine it, and turn it into batteries all domestically, that has big geopolitical implications.