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The largest lithium mine in the US, with the potential to produce 40.000 tons a year and generate billions in revenue, is facing environmental opposition for threatening a tiny snail.
In the vast deserts of Nevada, United States, construction is underway on the country's largest lithium mine, located in Thacker Pass. The project, led by the Canadian company Lithium Americas, promises to drive the transition to a economy of clean energy by providing an essential mineral for the production of electric vehicle batteries.
However, the initiative has faced strong opposition from environmentalists and Native American communities who warn of its potential environmental and cultural impacts.
The main point of contention is the suspicion that the mine's activities are contributing to the drop in the region's groundwater level, threatening the existence of the Kings River Pyrg, a small snail unique to local springs.
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The debate about the risks to the environment and local fauna has heightened tensions between the parties involved and brought to light questions about the balance between development and preservation.
A species on the brink of extinction
The Kings River pyrg, a species of snail little larger than a grain of rice, lives exclusively in 13 isolated springs in the Thacker Pass mine region.
These tiny mollusks depend on just a few inches of water to survive, making them extremely vulnerable to changes in groundwater levels.
Paul Ruprecht, director of the Western Watersheds Project in Nevada, warns that small changes to the snail's habitat could dry up springs and lead to the species' extinction.
He said the US Fish and Wildlife Service is violating the Endangered Species Act by taking too long to respond to a 2022 petition requesting the snail be classified as threatened or endangered.
Meanwhile, groups including the Western Watersheds Project and the People of Red Mountain have filed notices of intent to sue authorities and Lithium Americas over failures to monitor environmental impacts.
Strategic partnerships and investments
The Thacker Pass mine represents a milestone in lithium production in the United States. Recognized as the largest known deposit of the mineral in the country, the mine plays a strategic role in the supply chain of critical minerals that are essential to the global energy transition.
The project recently received a US$625 million investment from General Motors (GM), granting the automaker a 38% stake in the mine.
Additionally, the US Department of Energy approved a $2,26 billion loan for the development of the mine, reinforcing its strategic importance in reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
Expected to begin operations later this decade, the mine is projected to produce approximately 40.000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year in its first phase.
This production will be enough to power up to 800.000 electric vehicles annually, solidifying Lithium Americas’ position as the continent’s leading lithium supplier.
The weight of history and culture
The dispute over the Thacker Pass mine goes beyond environmental issues. For Native American communities, the site carries deep historical and cultural significance.
In 1865, the region was the scene of a massacre against their ancestors, making it a sacred site for these communities.
Previous court decisions have denied tribes' requests to recognize the site as sacred, but the fight for recognition continues.
The mine itself is seen as an example of the conflict between industrial development and respect for indigenous lands, highlighting the need for solutions that consider both progress and cultural preservation.
Monitoring and controversies
Reports filed by Lithium Americas indicate that the company lost access to private lands where several monitoring wells were located, making it difficult to assess impacts on groundwater.
While Nevada regulators approved changes to the monitoring plan in 2024, the situation raises concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of the measures taken.
Data analyzed by University of Montana professor Payton Gardner shows that water levels in a nearby well have dropped about 1,5 feet since 2018.
However, regulators say that there is still no confirmation of this reduction and guarantee that the situation will be monitored throughout the mine's useful life.
The race for lithium and future challenges
Demand for lithium, driven by the transition to a clean energy economy, is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.
President Joe Biden has made increasing electric vehicle production a central part of his energy agenda, reinforcing the importance of projects like Thacker Pass.
However, the history of mineral exploration in the western United States is marked by legal disputes involving threats to wildlife and water resources.
The Thacker Pass lithium mine is no exception, facing challenges in balancing the needs of the energy transition with environmental preservation and respect for local communities.
Every development project implemented by the techno-scientific community contributes to the social progress of all humanity. Everything must be carried out in an orderly manner, respecting the environment, but without compromising growth and multiplication. Wisdom and obedience. Let us never stop!
Don't worry, they'll soon pass over this species, pass over the indigenous part, pass over everything in the name of profit. This is the capitalist "gold standard" and even more so at its core.
It is not a capitalist standard, it is a human standard!
The overwhelming majority of people don't give a damn about sustainability, despite the obvious consequences.