Biden administration approves Ioneer’s Nevada lithium mine
The Biden administration has given final approval for ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine in Nevada, making it the first domestic lithium project permitted under the administration. Located about 225 miles north of Las Vegas, this mine is set to become a key supplier of lithium for Ford and other electric vehicle manufacturers, with the U.S. Department of Energy providing a $700 million loan and Sibanye Stillwater investing $490 million. The mine, anticipated to start production by 2028, could become one of the largest lithium producers in the U.S., with the potential to power approximately 370,000 electric vehicles annually.
The approval concludes a six-year review process involving environmental concerns, particularly regarding the endangered Tiehm’s buckwheat flower, which grows only in this area. Conservation groups oppose the project, fearing harm to the rare species, while ioneer has pledged to implement protective measures, including redesigns to protect the flower and a greenhouse for propagation. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management highlighted the project’s economic benefits, expecting it to create hundreds of local jobs while adhering to ecological protections.