Tribes object. But a federal ruling approves construction of the largest lithium mine

A U.S. appeals court has denied an attempt by tribes to halt the construction of North America’s largest lithium mine in Nevada, approved by the U.S. government.

Court decision: On Monday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the approval of the Thacker Pass mine by the U.S. government did not violate federal environmental laws.
* Jonathan Evans, CEO of Lithium Americas, expressed confidence in the legal integrity of the permitting process for the mine.
* Despite opposition from the Paiute tribes and environmentalists, construction activities are set to continue.

Tribal objections: For two years, several area tribes and environmental groups have been trying to block or delay the mine’s construction.
* Their arguments include that the approval process was rushed without proper consultation with Native communities.
* Rick Eichstaedt, an attorney for the Burns Paiute Tribe, criticized the selection of only three tribes for consultation instead of the broader tribal community traditionally included.

Cultural significance: The land destined for mining is considered sacred by some Native tribes due to its association with at least two ancient massacres.
* Tribal elders still visit the area to conduct ceremonies and gather traditional plants.
* However, according to the Ninth Circuit judges’ ruling, it was only after the mine’s approval that it became known some tribes consider the land sacred.

Next steps: The full construction of the Thacker Pass mine, which will contribute to America’s domestic battery supply chains, is expected to start this summer.

View original article on NPR

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