Awesome find!!!
Page 139 Says
Recommendations.
Support Sustainable Domestic Extraction and Refining of Lithium
The United States has lithium resources and domestic corporations well-versed in recovery and refinement
globally. Lithium resources exist in North Carolina (ore), Arkansas (brine), Nevada (brine, clay), and
California (brine). Lithium project development is costly and producers face future costs that hamper project
initiation. New projects typically require buyer contract agreements in advance of project start. To establish
a sustainable domestic lithium supply chain, the United States should:
Increase support for resource mapping at the USGS and the DOE to enable informed policy and
investment decisions around production and refinement of lithium and other critical materials and
minerals. The Federal Government should explore using purchase price and quantity guarantees for a
stockpile serving as a backstop, providing loans or guarantees through DOE’s Loan Program Office
(LPO), leveraging the DPA including Title III and VII authorities to support extraction, and standing up
new public financing streams.
Modernize the U.S. laws and regulations governing mining on public lands, where many lithium resources
in Nevada and California are located, in order to provide assurance to tribes and local residents that
important environmental and cultural resources will be protected during and after mining operations.
Support extraction and refinement efficiency through investment in R&D and commercialization support
from DOE and other Federal partners. Technology that improves lithium yield could benefit both
domestic and international sites, and by securing technology rights, the United States could position itself
and domestic companies to benefit from licensing while opening the resource base.
Invest in domestic refinement of ore, brine, or clay into lithium chemicals similarly through a potential
mix of purchasing guarantees, the DOE LPO, the DPA, and new financing programs in concert with
R&D investment to advance existing techniques. China’s domestic investment in this field has made
them the world’s leader despite limited domestic lithium supply.
Develop and expand technoeconomic models in line with international best practices to help identify the
best areas for extraction development accounting for the latest mineral extraction techniques.
I've just read to page 140, the report consistently, speaks of community consultation, support and changing of local and state legislation to facilitate mining of Lithium, it specifically speaks of tribes and local residents. It also says the extraction and refinement will have support from DOE.
Support extraction and refinement efficiency through investment in R&D and commercialization support from DOE and other Federal partners. Technology that improves lithium yield could benefit both domestic and international sites, and by securing technology rights, the United States could position itself and domestic companies to benefit from licensing while opening the resource base.
Most of the heavy lifting, could be done by the federal government in negotiating with local tribe and local landowners, also the DOE could have an integral role in developing Big Sandy.
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