As the world tries to meet the demand for clean energy technologies, there is an unprecedented demand for the rare metals that make them up.
This secures key minerals such as copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt and many rare earth elements that are key building blocks for innovation in zero-emission vehicles, solar panels, microchips and other components critical to clean technology. The global race to do so is accelerating. To mitigate climate change.
At stake is nothing less than America’s energy security, domestic supply chain stability, and the promise of a clean energy industry and job recovery. The United States is heavily dependent on imports for 50 key minerals, according to the Department of the Interior’s 2022 Commodity Summary of Important Minerals.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) understands that the extraction of critical minerals is a key component of clean energy technologies to mitigate rapid climate change. But ensuring that the critical minerals that meet this need are produced responsibly is critical in combating the equally important challenge of balancing environmental concerns. Moving Arizona and the country to net zero emissions across the economy by 2050 will not be easy. But we know what is at stake and how many people are working hard to make it happen.
Arizona is home to state heritage mining, rich mineral resources, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, battery manufacturers and recyclers, microchip manufacturers, mineral processing facilities, solar power companies and other cleantech companies.
Importantly, however, it is important to embrace this path to a net-zero economy while avoiding the state’s longstanding pride of sensitive land, water and other natural assets. It has the potential to develop different kinds of natural environments. Proposing the solutions that a changing world needs and setting an example for the rest of the world of how to execute them correctly.
You may have seen the groundbreaking news that LG Energy Solutions, a global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, announced a $5.5 billion investment in Arizona. not. This is the largest investment ever made for an independent battery manufacturing facility in North America.
EVelution Energy announced that it will build a solar-powered, carbon-neutral cobalt processing facility in Yuma County to support domestic production of electric vehicles and batteries.
Admittedly, these are just two recent examples that have benefited the local economy and put Arizona in the lead in this area.
But broader in scope, in addition to expanding domestic production, the United States also needs to develop policies that reduce the need for new mining operations to meet growing demand for critical minerals. By promoting the reuse and recycling of products containing critical minerals, such as EV batteries, demand can be met with critical minerals already in the economy. Today, less than 50% of the critical minerals in waste streams are recycled, and the economics of recycling are improving. Advances in technology are also making it possible to extract usable metals from old mine tailings and spent products.
Even with these policy measures, demand for critical minerals will drive new production, which means we need to consider where and how this demand is met. TNC and partners share data and practices that can provide a model and improve decision-making across the Southwest United States.
Where mineral extraction and infrastructure are considered suitable, investment in new technologies, best management practices, and the interests of mining companies, policy makers and others should be explored to develop cooperative strategies to reduce environmental impact. By partnering with stakeholders, we want to minimize our impact on Arizona’s land and water. . Where it is not possible to avoid or minimize impacts, a science-based mitigation program should be deployed that more than offsets the environmental impacts of the project.
Again, there are no easy answers and there will always be hard choices and trade-offs, but we must strive to ensure the best outcomes for people, nature and the economy.
Given the dual crises of climate change and unprecedented species declines, we will do everything in our power to accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions economy and ensure that future generations benefit from and enjoy the benefits of nature. is essential. Arizona’s rich mineral deposits and incredible biodiversity value make it worthwhile to develop thoughtful solutions to meet our clean energy needs while protecting the land and water we all depend on. Essential.
Dan Stellar is the State Director of the Arizona Conservancy.
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