In Nevada, a unique opposition has emerged against lithium mining ventures in the state. While environmentalists, ranchers, and others have traditionally opposed such projects, a surprising voice has joined the chorus: space.
A vast ancient lakebed in Nevada holds great potential as a significant source of lithium, a crucial metal for producing cleaner electric energy and combating global warming. However, NASA has identified the same area as an irreplaceable site for calibrating the highly precise measurements of numerous satellites orbiting above.
In response to NASA’s request, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has agreed to exclude a 36-square-mile (92-square-kilometer) portion of the eastern Nevada terrain from its list of federally owned lands available for mineral exploration and mining.
For nearly thirty years, this expansive, flat expanse of land above the untapped lithium deposit in Nevada’s Railroad Valley has played a vital role in ensuring accurate measurements that are essential for the optimal functioning of satellites and their various applications.
After considering NASA’s input regarding the specific tract located 250 miles (400 kilometers) northeast of Las Vegas, the Bureau of Land Management reached a significant conclusion in April: “No other location in the United States is suitable for this purpose.” This conclusion underscores the irreplaceable nature of the site in meeting the calibration needs of satellites.
Over the course of nearly three years, the Bureau of Land Management has faced numerous challenges from various groups, including environmentalists, tribal leaders, ranchers, and others. These groups have been advocating against the approval of a large-scale lithium mine in northwest Nevada, close to the Oregon border. Despite these oppositions, the bureau has been actively involved in addressing the concerns and navigating the complex landscape surrounding mining activities in the region.
In December, the Bureau of Land Management began reviewing proposals for an additional lithium mine, facing opposition from conservationists. This particular mine is located near the California border, approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) southeast of Reno. The area is home to an endangered desert wildflower, adding to the concerns raised by conservationists.
Railroad Valley, where the contested lithium deposit is located, plays a crucial role in satellite calculations. These calculations are vital for gathering valuable information transmitted from space, with wide-ranging applications that include weather forecasting, national security, agricultural outlooks, and the monitoring of natural disasters. NASA emphasizes that the satellites provide indispensable and often time-sensitive information that impacts various aspects of life on Earth. The preservation of the area becomes even more significant considering its critical role in supporting these satellite-based operations.
The Nevada desert presents a paradox, as critics argue. While lithium is a crucial component in electric vehicle batteries, which play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the very same metal is situated beneath land that NASA insists must remain undisturbed. This land is essential for certifying the accuracy of satellites that monitor the Earth’s warming atmosphere.
This paradox highlights the complex trade-offs and challenges faced when it comes to addressing climate change. On one hand, the extraction of lithium is necessary to support the transition to cleaner energy sources and combat global warming. On the other hand, preserving undisturbed land is crucial for conducting precise satellite measurements that provide critical data on climate change and its impacts.
This situation underscores the need for careful and balanced decision-making, taking into account multiple factors such as environmental conservation, resource extraction, and the monitoring of climate change. It is a reminder of the intricate choices and considerations involved in our efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change while advancing sustainable technologies.
Mark Moneza from Planet Labs, a satellite imaging company based in San Francisco, emphasized the importance of reliable and accurate data and imagery of our planet, particularly as our environment continues to evolve and change. Planet Labs has heavily relied on NASA’s designated site in Nevada to calibrate over 250 of their satellites since 2016.
Recently, a Nevada congressman introduced legislation with the aim of overturning the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to withdraw the land from potential mining use. Republican Representative Mark Amodei argued before a House subcommittee that this decision highlights the “hypocrisy” of the Biden administration. He pointed out that while the administration claims to prioritize the development of renewable energy technology and reducing carbon emissions, they are simultaneously obstructing a project aimed at developing the necessary lithium for clean energy objectives.
This viewpoint raises questions regarding the perceived inconsistency in the administration’s approach, reflecting the ongoing debates and challenges surrounding the balance between environmental conservation, resource extraction, and the pursuit of renewable energy goals. It underscores the complexities of aligning policies and actions to achieve sustainable and clean energy objectives while addressing competing interests and concerns.
At the time when NASA requested the withdrawal of the land, the company holding the majority of mining claims in Carson City, Nevada—3 Proton Lithium Inc.—had not submitted any formal project plans in 2021. However, the company claimed to have conducted extensive research in preparation for future extraction of the brine-based lithium resource, which it identified as one of the world’s ten largest deposits.
Kevin Moore, Chairman of 3 Proton Lithium, expressed concern that the land withdrawal would likely hinder his company’s ability to extract the valuable “super brine” from approximately one-third of its claims, including the deepest and richest deposits comprising about 60% of the site’s value. Moore, along with Representative Amodei, testified before the House Resources Subcommittee on Mining and Mineral Resources, stressing that the project is essential for transitioning to a green economy, creating jobs, combating climate change, reducing reliance on foreign adversaries, and securing a domestic supply chain for critical minerals.
James Ingraffia, founder of energy exploration company Lithium Arrow LLC, also opposes the Bureau of Land Management’s decision, stating that obstructing lithium mining in Railroad Valley undermines efforts to combat climate change. He argued that the actions taken by the Bureau are contradictory, as they perpetuate concerns while hindering potential solutions.
3 Proton Lithium asserts that their brine pumping operations would cause minimal disturbance to the land’s surface. However, NASA holds the position that the potential risks associated with surface disruption outweigh the benefits.
The unchanged nature of the area has allowed NASA to establish a valuable record of undisturbed topography, which assists in precise distance measurements using radio signals’ travel time. It also ensures the absolute radiometric calibration of satellite sensors. Jeremy Eggers, a spokesperson for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, emphasized that activities that could disrupt the surface integrity of Railroad Valley would jeopardize the site’s usability. The decision to protect Railroad Valley aims to safeguard critical scientific data relied upon by various economic sectors.
In summary, the conflict arises from competing interests: the potential economic benefits of lithium extraction and the preservation of undisturbed land essential for NASA’s scientific measurements and data calibration.
