Judge Approves Lithium Mine, Despite Wildflower Threat

0:00It's April 1st, Durham News. Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. A federal judge in Nevada just shot down a lawsuit from conservationists trying to block a huge lithium and bore on mine over threats to an endangered. Wildflower called Teahum's Buckweed. The 11-square-mile Riolite Ridge project in Esmeralda County got the green light marking a big win for Ironier, the Australian company calling it. The world's largest deposit of those minerals outside Turkey. The judge said the government did its homework right, checking impacts on the wildflower whose whole population fits in just 10 acres. This Nevada spot will be the state's third lithium mine, processing onsite to crank out stuff for electric vehicle batteries and Bork acid used in. Everything from pest control to flame retardants. Company leaders are hyped. Talking hundreds of new jobs, less dependence on foreign supplies and lithium for about 400,000 electric vehicles a year from this $2 billion operation with a lifespan over 77 years.

1:03They got a nearly $1 billion loan from the Energy Department last year and aimed to start building by years end with production in 20. 29. Environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity aren't backing down. They push for the wildflowers endangered status in 20. 22. And might appeal to the 9th Circuit. They worry the mines the final hit to this tiny plant in the Silver Peak range, even with fences and buffer zones protecting 95% of its critical habitat. Both Biden and Trump eras back this push for homegrown critical minerals, but the fight over balancing clean energy needs with fragile ecosystems. Like teams Buckwick he's rolling on.