**Biden Administration Approves Controversial Lithium Mine in Nevada**

In a move that aligns with President Joe Biden's clean energy agenda but has sparked backlash from conservationists, a federal permit for a new lithium mine in Nevada has been sanctioned. The project, led by Ioneer Ltd, is seen as crucial for accelerating the production of lithium—a key component in electric vehicle batteries.

Administration officials announced the approval on Thursday in Reno, emphasizing the mine's importance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "The process we have undertaken demonstrates that we can pursue responsible critical mineral development here in the United States while protecting the health of our public lands and resources," remarked Acting Deputy Interior Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis.

The Rhyolite Ridge mine, six years in the making, is set to begin construction next year in the high desert, located midway between Reno and Las Vegas. Production is scheduled to commence in 2028, and officials project the mine will produce enough lithium annually for 370,000 vehicles for over two decades. According to global forecasts, the demand for lithium is anticipated to increase sixfold from 2020 to 2030.

"This approval is the culmination of countless hours of work and a testament to our remarkable team's dedication," said Ioneer’s Executive Chairperson, James Calaway. He believes Rhyolite Ridge is one of the world's most impactful deposits for sustainable mining.

The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management issued the permit after consultations with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) affirmed that the mine would not threaten the survival of Tiehm's buckwheat, an endangered wildflower added to the US endangered species list on December 14, 2022. Despite these assurances and changes made by Ioneer to mitigate potential environmental harm, conservationists remain unconvinced.

Environmentalists argue that the approval is politically motivated and breaches multiple US laws. "Litigation is now the only way to stop the Rhyolite Ridge Mine," stated the Center for Biological Diversity. Patrick Donnelly, the center’s Great Basin director, criticized the administration, saying, "We need lithium for the energy transition, but it can't come with a price tag of extinction."

The USFWS has acknowledged that the project will come within 15 feet of Tiehm's buckwheat and result in the loss of some critical habitat. However, they assure that planned reclamation, mitigation, and ongoing monitoring will protect the wildflower, enabling it to coexist with the mine.

Critics of the project cite it as another instance of the Biden administration prioritizing climate goals over the protection of native wildlife and the sanctity of sacred tribal lands. The Thacker Pass mine, another lithium project in Nevada, faced similar controversies but survived numerous legal challenges.

"We've been fighting to save Tiehm's buckwheat for six years and we're not giving up now," Donnelly reaffirmed.