In the high desert mountains of Dyer, Nevada, a remote lithium deposit known as Rhyolite Ridge is set to become one of the largest lithium-boron deposits in the world. Discovered by Bernard Rowe in the early 2000s, the deposit has the potential to supply enough lithium for batteries for 370,000 electric cars a year. Despite facing tough environmental regulations in the U.S., Rowe’s company, Ioneer, has received final approval for the mine just days before the election, with plans to quadruple U.S. production of electric vehicles.
However, the mine is facing pushback from environmentalists and tribal activists who have sued to stop the project, citing concerns about the impact on cultural sites and an endangered desert plant found in the area. Despite these challenges, Rowe remains confident in the project’s success, with the support of government financing and contracts with U.S. manufacturers.
In a community desperate for economic growth, locals in Fish Lake Valley are hopeful that the mine will bring much-needed jobs and revenue to the area. With plans to make a final investment decision by mid-next year, Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge project represents a significant step towards securing a domestic supply of critical minerals for the U.S. electric vehicle industry.
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