Sept 19 (Askume) – The Biden administration on Thursday released a key environmental report on Ionaire (INR).
The move follows a more than six-year review process and is part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to boost domestic production of critical minerals and balance China’s market dominance . If approved, the mine would be the first lithium project approved by Biden officials.
US. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a Final Environmental Impact Report that will begin a review period of at least 30 days before a Record of Decision (essentially a mining permit) is issued. The Bureau of Land Management also issued opinions on how to best protect rare flowers at mine sites .
Ionair shares rose more than 12% in New York trading.
The proposed mine, about 225 miles (362 kilometers) north of Las Vegas, has enough lithium to power about 370,000 electric vehicles annually. Ford Motor Co’s (FN) joint venture with Toyota 7203.T and Panasonic 6752.T have agreed to buy lithium from the mine.
The US Geological Survey describes lithium as a mineral critical to the US economy and national security. To boost domestic production, the US Department of Energy said last year it would provide Ioneer with a loan of up to $700 million to develop the mine , though the company must first obtain a permit.
Endangered flowers
The location is also home to the Tiam buckwheat flower, which is found nowhere else on Earth and was declared an endangered species in 2022. As a result, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and other conservation groups opposed Ayner’s project, making it a lightning rod in the debate over whether biodiversity is more important than fighting climate change.
The BLM said Thursday that it has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the company to develop “critical conservation measures for the plant,” including changes to mining design plans and propagation efforts that have included building greenhouses and hiring botanists.
“We remain committed to our commitment to be responsible stewards of public lands while fulfilling the promise of a clean energy economy,” said Tracy Stone-Manning, Administrator of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
The CBD said it was disappointed that Washington was “obstructing public participation in the mine … and does not support any of its claims.” The final environmental analysis will be published in the Federal Register on Friday.
“We’ve been fighting to save this endangered little wildflower for five years and we’re not backing down,” said Patrick Donnelly of the CBD.
The 30-day review process for environmental reports is a routine part of the federal permitting process.
Ionair chief executive Bernard Rowe said the report reflected the company’s commitment to the safety of the plant and its willingness to work with the government to develop domestic sources of lithium.
“This is a testament to our approach, which is to engage sensitive issues, look into them, and see if we can find solutions. We have done that,” Luo told Askume.
In 2020, more than 17,000 flowers died near the mine, with some accusing it of being a “premeditated” attack. Australian Ionizers deny harming the flowers. The government later blamed thirsty squirrels .
South Africa’s Sibanye Stillwater (SSWJ.J) agreed to buy half of the project for $490 million in 2021 , subject to approval .
