BBC journalists James Clayton and Ben Derico report on the rush to mine lithium for car batteries, which is dividing environmental and native American communities.
In a nutshell:
In the high desert near the Oregon border, a significant lithium deposit critical for electric car batteries has caught President Joe Biden's attention. However, the push to extract this "white gold" is causing divisions among typically allied groups. Environmentalists and native communities are at odds over whether to support or oppose lithium mining. While President Biden aims to make the U.S. a leader in electric cars and reduce lithium imports, some argue that mining operations harm the environment, suggesting alternative approaches to addressing climate change. The dispute also extends to native tribes who see it as a clash between conservation and historical preservation in the name of climate action. The Thacker Pass mine is at the center of this debate, with the potential for more lithium projects in the area, posing a challenge to balancing environmental concerns with the pursuit of renewable energy solutions.
Key quote:
"Mining operations are in fact very damaging to the environment. And we've got to be very careful how we permit these things," says John Hadder, director of Great Basin Resource Watch.
"We can reduce demand for minerals by just changing habits. One thing I'm really concerned about is that we're losing an opportunity to do other things to address climate change," he says.
The big picture:
Lithium mining presents environmental challenges, including habitat disruption and water resource strain due to its water-intensive extraction process. The use of chemicals like sulfuric acid in mining can lead to soil and water contamination if not managed properly. In addition, significant energy consumption in mining contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. On the health front, potential exposure to mining-related pollutants and chemicals can pose risks to both workers and nearby communities, emphasizing the need for strict safety measures and environmental safeguards in lithium mining operations.
Read the article at the BBC.
Additional context from The New Lede: The mineral deposit at Thacker Pass is considered the largest known lithium source in North America, making it an important resource for “clean energy” technology that mitigates harmful climate change by curbing fossil fuel dependence.
