The past few years have seen a massive surge in the demand for lithium, a critical resource for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy storage. Once trading at around $6,000 per ton in 2020, lithium prices have skyrocketed to nearly $30,000 per ton in 2023. This explosion in value has placed lithium-rich areas like Western North Carolina under intense scrutiny, especially as companies like Piedmont Lithium seek to capitalize on the region’s rich reserves. But this story isn’t just about market forces — it’s about power, control, and the potential exploitation of entire communities.