The Bureau of Land Management(BLM) is moving forward on the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine project in southern Nevada. With the release of a final environmental impact analysis, the development of a source of lithium, a key mineral for the production of batteries in electric vehicles and other electronics applications.
Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine
It is located in Tonopah, Nevada, with the potential for lithium production sufficient to power 370,000 electric vehicles per year. This initiative, aligned with the goals of the current U.S. administration, secures a supply of critical minerals needed for the U.S. clean energy economy. If approved, the Rhyolite Ridge mine would generate more than $125 million in annual wages and provide employment for approximately 350 people during the operational phase.
One of the highlights of the project is the BLM ‘s collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure the protection of endangered species, such as Tiehm’s buckwheat, a plant endemic to the area.
The project design has been adjusted to minimize impacts on this“flower“, including relocations and funding for its propagation. In addition, we have worked closely with indigenous communities to assess the impacts on cultural and ecological resources in the region.
Lithium is classified as“a mineral critical to the national and economic security of the United States,” essential for the creation of electronic devices, energy storage and electric vehicles. The Rhyolite Ridge project is part of federal efforts to streamline permitting of strategic projects to ensure U.S. leadership in the renewable energy industry.
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Source: BLM
Photo: Shutterstock