The Biden administration has granted a federal permit for a new lithium mine in Nevada, marking a significant step in the U.S. push for clean energy despite fierce opposition from environmental groups.
The Rhyolite Ridge mine, owned by Australian company Ioneer Ltd., is seen as essential for producing lithium, a key mineral in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The mine is expected to begin production in 2028, supplying enough lithium annually for 370,000 vehicles for more than 20 years.
Acting Deputy Interior Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis emphasized that the mine is critical for the U.S.'s clean energy transition and economic future. This decision aligns with the Biden administration’s agenda to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy resources. The project has been in development for six years and is located in the high desert between Reno and Las Vegas.
However, the approval has sparked outrage among conservationists, who argue that the mine will drive the endangered Tiehm’s buckwheat, a rare wildflower found only in Nevada, to extinction.
Despite the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) ruling that the mine would not threaten the plant’s survival, environmentalists believe the decision violates the Endangered Species Act. Patrick Donnelly of the Centre for Biological Diversity vowed to pursue litigation, stating that lithium extraction should not come at the cost of biodiversity.
The Tiehm’s buckwheat habitat is critically small, with fewer than 30,000 plants covering an area of just 10 acres. Although the mine’s footprint was adjusted to minimise harm, concerns remain about the impact on the flower’s pollinators and habitat.
This mine is one of two major lithium projects in Nevada, with the other, Lithium Americas' Thacker Pass mine, having faced similar legal challenges from environmentalists and Native American tribes.
These projects are part of a broader effort to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals while balancing environmental and cultural preservation concerns.
Source:
AP News
