As the U.S. seeks more domestic sources of electric vehicle battery metals, geologists are exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Minnesota for nickel deposits.
Hannah Northey reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Talon Metals is leading a large-scale search for nickel in Michigan and Minnesota to support electric vehicle battery production, funded partly by a Department of Defense grant.
- Local tribes express concern about potential environmental impacts, as Talon’s exploration overlaps with ancestral Indigenous lands and sensitive ecosystems.
- Talon says it aims to collaborate with tribes on environmental protections and job creation, though agreements are still being negotiated.
Key quote:
“Exploration is opening Pandora’s box. Once it’s open, it gets harder and harder to close the lid.”
— John Coleman, environmental scientist with Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Why this matters:
As demand for electric vehicle batteries grows, finding domestic nickel sources becomes increasingly urgent for energy security. However, this exploration may affect Indigenous lands and ecosystems, raising concerns about long-term environmental impacts and human rights.
