The decarbonized and electrified future envisioned by the Biden administration, state governments, automakers, utilities and corporate sustainability goals relies heavily on minerals and metals.

More lithium will be needed not only for car and truck batteries, but also for massive battery banks. more and more popping Connect to the power grid to balance the intermittence of wind and solar power. Those batteries, of course, wind turbines and solar panels, Also need copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, andRare earth elements used in electric car motor Other clean technologies, among other materials.

The problem is that not enough of these materials are being mined in the United States or other friendly nations to meet the anticipated demands of decarbonized nations. China currently dominates the market for most battery raw materials, which it said “has geopolitical and environmental risks.” presentation S&P Global announced on May 10th about the challenges facing the global battery sector.

“This is part of what the legislation is doing to counteract us,” said Graham Evans, S&P Global Research Director, whose focus is on automotive supply chains and technology. “We don’t want to be overly dependent on any one country.”

But despite new federal laws such as the Control Inflation Act and the bipartisan Infrastructure Act creating greater incentives for renewable power, electric vehicles and production, Tax credit for important mineralsMining operations under development in Nevada, north carolina, Minnesota and Arizonaamong other places, was not greeted with open arms.

Mining and renewable energy industry associations also argue that lengthy mining project permitting schedules and litigation delays are incompatible with the urgent need for materials needed to decarbonize the economy.

‘We need natural resources’

Part of this dynamic is clean energy group join with traditional industry, fossil fuel interests and its ally, Congress, are seeking permission for the reforms that surfaced as part of the reforms. transaction between President Joe Biden and Republicans in Congress are proposing to raise the debt ceiling currently being discussed in Washington.triggered by an incident Controversial Federal Court Ruling It is related to the Arizona copper mine project, but there are other projects as well. bipartisan law It has been submitted to the Senate to clarify rules regarding where mining support activities, such as waste disposal and disposal, may take place on federal land.

“We need supply chains and natural resources … we can’t do that unless we produce more domestically,” said Harrison Godfrey, managing director of the clean energy industry group Advanced Energy United.

“We need reform permits to do this mining. We believe we can maintain reasonable environmental regulations and move forward around this. It has been abused to try to stop anything beyond reasonable limits to protect it.”

However, many environmental groups exploded The debt ceiling agreement includes provisions aimed at raising the controversial debt ceiling. mountain valley pipeline — Natural gas projects through West Virginia and Virginia have been plagued with environmental violations and problems. Check many important permissions Annulled by federal court and crossed the finish line.

They also attacked attempts to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to accelerate projects.sierra club asked parliament Biodiversity Center denies it called it “Injustice and moral failure to choose between national default and bankrupt health of people and planet.”

“Benign neglect”

Mark Compton, executive director of the American Exploration and Mining Association, an industry group, said the U.S. mining industry has had a long history of “benign neglect” that has resulted in a reliance on foreign resources, and that the problem is linked to radioactive fallout. said to have been highlighted by From the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the global pandemic.

“The decarbonization of our economy is causing a really amazing increase in demand for minerals,” he said. “Supply chain issues are really coming to the forefront.”

Compton said US new mining projects average 7 to 10 years Canada and Australia, which have similar environmental protection measures, take two to three years to pass the approval stage.

“We are not talking about the need to lower environmental standards,” he said. “Environmental standards or regulations in force, it doesn’t matter. It’s really inefficient and often duplicate he NEPA permitting process that just takes longer than it should.”

He added that the permitting process is only part of the picture. Most hard rock mining takes place on federal lands in the western United States, about half of which is currently prohibited, Compton said.

“The mineral is in a place and we can’t move it,” he said, noting that economically viable pockets are rare. “To enable mineral development and exploration, we need access to federal land.”

But allowing mining on public land can be very difficult, as is the case with the long-controversial Twin Metals project in Superior National Forest, Minnesota. “Copper for wind power and broadband networks. Nickel for electric vehicles and medical devices.” The company website says:. “Cobalt in smartphones and batteries. The world needs more metals every day. Minnesota’s minerals can help meet that demand.”

But environmental groups warn that the deposits are too close to be safe. Boundary water areaThe State Tourist Office calls it “one of the most beautiful and remote places in America.”sierra club says on the website “Today there is no sulfide mine that does not pollute groundwater.” imposed a 20-year mining ban Located on 225,000 acres of federal land near wilderness areas.

Twin Metals said they were “stunned”.

“This region is home to one of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals that are critical to achieving our nation’s goals of transitioning to a clean energy future, creating jobs for the United States, enhancing national security, and strengthening domestic supply chains. ,” the company said in a statement.

There is also great concern about irreversible impacts on Native American sites, as is the case with the Lithium Americas project in the United States. Tucker Pass, NevadaThe project has divided tribal communities and sparked protests and lawsuits. resolution copper mine Project in Arizona.according to Morgan Stanley Capital InternationalU.S. reserves and resources of 97% of nickel, 89% of copper, 79% of lithium and 68% of cobalt are located within 55 miles of Native American reservations.

Compton acknowledged that past practices have caused reputational problems for the mining industry.

“It’s true that mining projects are facing a lot of resistance. said, but added that today’s industry is highly regulated and “the most environmentally responsible” industry in the world.

how much is mine

However, of course, even in modern mining, inherently destructive. Open pit mining creates vast pits in the ground, creates large amounts of waste rock that requires management, and poses potential water pollution problems from disposal and leaching. tailings, consists of rocks remaining after extraction, chemicals and other wastes, and drainage of acidic rocks. Wildlife habitat is also lost. For example, despite efforts to produce lithium, new and more sustainable Competition for important minerals and metals has caused some to question enthusiasm for further mining.

“Large-scale mining entails social and environmental damage, often irreparably destroying landscapes without the consent of affected communities,” one person said. January report UC Davis climate and community project to reduce reliance on automobiles, reduce battery size and maximize recycling to achieve zero emissions and minimize new mining recommended.

“A certain level of mining is necessary as society grapples with the urgent and transformative task of building a new zero-emission energy system,” the report said. “However, the amount of extraction is not fixed. Neither is where the mining takes place, who bears the social and environmental burden, or how the mining is managed.”

Some believe that ensuring a robust recycling and reuse chain that accompanies the new clean energy economy is key to reducing the impacts of mineral extraction. CNBC reported last month More and more startups are working on solar, wind and battery recycling businesses, he said.

“In the medium to long term, the development of the domestic recycling and reuse sector will not only alleviate the need for new and important mineral production, but also reduce our dependence on geopolitical competitors for these resources and technologies. “It will also help us in the future,” Energy Economics said in a policy document.

Environmental activist Max Wilbert, who helped organize protest camps in Nevada’s Tucker Pass, supports: many people consider extremistdegrowth” Instead of trying to sustain our current lifestyle with new sources of electricity with environmental concerns, we are seeking solutions to climate change, pollution and ecological collapse.

“Some might say it’s a dream,” he says. “I think the real dream is to try to maintain the status quo with new energy sources.”

post Decarbonization ambition ignites debate over mining, gains permits first appeared in Missouri Independent.