Humboldt River Field Office issues a Record of Decision for the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine
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Orovada, Nev. — The Humboldt River Field Office issued a Record of Decision approving the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine proposed by Lithium Nevada Corporation. The project would include 5,700 acres of public lands within the project area located approximately 17 miles northwest of Orovada and 53 miles north-northwest of Winnemucca in Humboldt County.
The project will employ approximately 1,000 employees during construction and 300 employees once fully operational. Lithium is identified as essential to the economic and national security of the United States. It has several uses but one of the most valuable is as a component of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Lithium consumption has increased significantly in recent years because rechargeable lithium batteries are used extensively in the growing market for portable electronic devices and in electric tools, electric vehicles, and grid storage applications.
“The Thacker Pass Mine will provide a long term solution for the growing need for lithium while providing economic benefits for Humboldt County, especially around Orovada, McDermitt and Winnemucca,” said Winnemucca District Manager Ester McCullough.
A Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine was published in the Federal Register on December 3, 2020. The Thacker Pass Lithium Mine Record of Decision are available on our National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ePlanning website and can be accessed at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/1503166/510.
For further information, please contact Ken Loda, Project Lead, at 775-623-1500.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.