AZL General Discussion, page-6377

Lithium Mining Threatens Arizona Tribe’s Sacred Spring

"The BLM failed to follow federal law by allowing the exploratory drilling without a required analysis of impacts on the Hualapai’s cultural and spiritual resources. Earthjustice is representing the Tribe in their legal efforts to protect their heritage and to stand up for the wider principle – enshrined in law – that such impacts must be taken into consideration. Earthjustice lawyers have represented Indigenous groups in numerous states where companies are seeking to mine critical minerals while skirting federal laws."

It looks like there's no doubt now that litigation will follow after BLM's decision.

"Dawley talked about the project alongside other tribal leaders and Earthjustice attorneys, just hours after a morning meeting with BLM to discuss their concerns about how the agency is handling the project.

In addition to lithium drilling, the Tribe learned during the meeting with BLM that other mining companies – Kodiak Copper, Bell Resources, Zenolith, and Sitka Gold – are looking to drill dozens of holes deep underground near Hualapai land for additional lithium, copper, and other precious minerals."

Sounds to me that the Hualapai are anticipating an approval from BLM.

"Earthjustice and Indigenous groups around the country support a speedy transition to clean energy and understand critical minerals are needed, but they want legal rights and cultural resources protected and to ensure federal agencies follow the law. In addition, both Indigenous groups and Earthjustice believe that alternatives to mining, such as incentivizing and strengthening the circular economy to reuse and recycle existing minerals, must be explored."

Clueless people. Earthjustice's twitter feed is filled with posts about the positive effects of EVs and negative effects of fossil fuels but then want to act as a road block in powering those EV's. Theres not enough lithium in circulation to rely on recycling let alone addressing the challenges and costs to make it feasible.

BLM and government need to make a stand. If Big Sandy gets shut down then which American lithium project will make it? We already know that 79% of US lithium projects are within 35 miles of Native American reservations. Big Sandy is twice the distance from the Hualapai reservation at 68 miles and one of the higher quality projects. Hopefully common sense prevails.