Environmentalists sue over US approval of ioneer's Nevada lithium mine

Ernest Scheyder - Reuters - 01/11
Environmental and Indigenous groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Interior Department's approval of ioneer's Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada, the first domestic source of the battery metal to be permitted by Democratic President Joe Biden's administration.
  • Lawsuit claims mine threatens rare wildflower and environment
  • Interior Department and ioneer defend mine approval
  • Mine to supply Ford and other EV makers, backed by $700 million loan
Oct 31 (Reuters) - Environmental and Indigenous groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Interior Department's approval of ioneer's (INR.AX), opens new tab Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada, the first domestic source of the battery metal to be permitted by Democratic President Joe Biden's administration.
In a lawsuit, opens new tab filed in federal court in Las Vegas, groups including the Center for Biological Diversity argued the project posed an existential risk to the rare wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat and could drive it to extinction.
They said the mine would also adversely impact groundwater, springs, wetlands, air quality, cultural resources and wildlife habitats, and would transform a remote part of rural Nevada into an industrial complex.
The groups said the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the mine without ensuring that it would not jeopardize the wildflower or unduly impact the environment in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Lands Policy and Management Act, and the Endangered Species Act.
The Interior Department declined to comment.
Australia-based ioneer said it does not...
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