In Reno, Nevada, federal land managers have officially revoked their approval of a lithium exploration project conducted by a Canadian mining company. This project was planned near a national wildlife refuge in southern Nevada. The decision came after conservationists took legal action to halt the project.
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Amargosa Conservancy filed a lawsuit on July 7, stating that the mining project, located on the outskirts of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Las Vegas, posed a significant illegal threat to twelve protected species of fish, snails, and plants listed under the Endangered Species Act.
In response to the conservationists’ concerns, they also filed a motion in federal court this week. The motion sought a temporary injunction to prevent Rover Metals from commencing drilling activities at 30 sites in search of lithium, a highly valuable metal used in the production of electric vehicle batteries.
In a significant development, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) informed Rover Metals on Wednesday that their previous approval of the company’s notice of intent to proceed with the mining project was a mistake. The BLM had earlier accepted the company’s plan, but upon further assessment, they determined that the proposed operations could potentially disturb localized groundwaters. These groundwaters are crucial for supplying surface waters that support endangered species in nearby springs.
As a result, the BLM officially rescinded the acknowledgment of the notice issued to Rover Metals on April 6. The agency stated that the operator was unable to demonstrate the capability to prevent unnecessary or undue environmental harm, as evident from the existing records.
Conservationists welcomed this decision, as it now offers a temporary respite for the unique oasis in the Mojave Desert. This area, which encompasses the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, is home to an extraordinary array of life, including 25 species of fish, plants, insects, and snails that exist nowhere else on the planet. It boasts one of the highest concentrations of endemic species in North America and is situated in one of the hottest and driest regions on Earth.
The executive director of the Amargosa Conservancy, Mason Voehl, expressed his joy at the outcome, considering it a remarkable victory for the community in the Amargosa Basin. He emphasized that mining activities should not encroach upon the cherished Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Rover Metals regarding the recent turn of events.
Back in April, Rover Metals had publicly announced that they had obtained an “exploration drill permit” from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for their Let’s Go Lithium project. The project was intended to be carried out on 6,000 acres (2,428 hectares) of federal land located near the border of California and Nevada, in close proximity to Death Valley National Park.
At that time, the company asserted that a formal environmental review was not required under the National Environmental Policy Act for the initial phase of their work. However, the Center for Biological Diversity disagreed with this stance and expressed their concerns in a letter to the bureau in May. According to them, the project, situated within 2,000 feet (609 meters) of the wildlife refuge, necessitated a review, even at the exploratory stage, due to the presence of protected species, including the endangered Devils Hole pupfish.
The Center argued that Rover Metals must submit a formal plan of operations to the bureau, enabling them to assess whether the project complies with the law, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Ultimately, the BLM has now come to agree with the Center for Biological Diversity’s position. As a result, the agency has decided to withdraw its previous approval of Rover Metal’s notice of intent to proceed, just days before the scheduled start of drilling activities. This decision was likely influenced by both the ongoing lawsuit and significant public opposition to the project.
Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed relief that their efforts, combined with the widespread public opposition, have led federal officials to halt the project in its tracks.
The statement, “We need lithium for our renewable energy transition, but this episode sends a message loud and clear that some places are just too special to drill,” reflects a balanced perspective on the importance of lithium for renewable energy and the need to protect ecologically sensitive areas.
Lithium is a critical element used in batteries for renewable energy sources like electric vehicles and energy storage systems. It plays a vital role in our transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. However, this particular episode involving the proposed lithium exploration project near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge highlights the significance of preserving certain places with unique biodiversity and environmental value.
The message conveyed is that while lithium is essential for our renewable energy goals, there are areas of exceptional ecological significance that should be safeguarded from drilling and other potentially harmful activities. It emphasizes the need to strike a balance between meeting our energy needs and protecting the natural world’s most vulnerable and irreplaceable habitats.
In essence, it underscores the importance of responsible and sustainable resource development, ensuring that we prioritize conservation and protection of delicate ecosystems alongside our efforts to address climate change and promote renewable energy solutions.