BLM Grants Ioneer Final Permits – Rhyolite Ridge Project Expected to Quadruple U.S. Lithium Output

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) granted Ioneer Ltd. its final federal permit for the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project on October 24, setting the stage for construction to begin in 2025 in Esmeralda County. This federal go-ahead, the first U.S. lithium project approval under the Biden Administration, represents a pivotal move toward bolstering U.S.-based mineral production for the electric vehicle industry, with first production anticipated by 2028.

Rhyolite Ridge, expected to quadruple U.S. lithium output, will produce battery materials for over 370,000 electric vehicles annually. Once operational, Ioneer reports that the project will generate around 500 construction jobs and 350 long-term positions, which Ioneer has indicated will be "high-paying roles" to support the area's rural economy.

"For more than six years, we have worked closely with state, federal, and tribal governments, as well as the Fish Lake Valley community, to ensure the sound and sustainable development of our Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project," said Ioneer Managing Director Bernard Rowe. "This permit gives us a license to commence construction in 2025, creating hundreds of good-paying rural jobs and generating millions in tax revenue for Esmeralda County."

Securing the federal green light required a multi-year permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), starting in 2020, with Ioneer making a series of adjustments to address environmental and community concerns. In response to public comments and regulatory guidance, Ioneer relocated certain facilities and altered project designs to minimize impacts on endangered species, cultural sites, and local ecosystems.

Notably, Ioneer made significant adjustments to protect Tiehm's buckwheat, a rare plant designated as endangered in 2022. Measures included rerouting project infrastructure away from the plant's critical habitat and shifting overburden storage facilities to preserve culturally sensitive sites identified through tribal consultations. Additionally, Ioneer has committed to water conservation and comprehensive monitoring of dust, noise, and light impacts on nearby communities.

"I can say with absolute confidence there are few deposits in the world as impactful as Rhyolite Ridge," remarked Ioneer Executive Chairman James Calaway. "Today's approval is the culmination of countless hours of work and a testament to our team's dedication. We're pleased by what we have achieved working with the Biden Administration and the bipartisan support at all government levels."

The BLM's Record of Decision follows a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) issued last month, incorporating public feedback submitted from April through June. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also released a Section 7 Biological Opinion, concluding that the project will not harm Tiehm's buckwheat or its habitat.

With the federal permit secured, Ioneer aims to finalize the project's investment details by the first quarter of 2025. The company also expects to release updated resource and cost estimates by December, which may help solidify financing partnerships and prepare for a comprehensive Final Investment Decision.

Ioneer's commitment to sustainability extends to its facility design. The company plans to recycle nearly half of all water used on-site and will eliminate the need for evaporation ponds, further reducing the project's environmental footprint. Uniquely, the facility will rely on steam power instead of the local energy grid, aligning with Ioneer's objective to limit carbon emissions.

Ioneer's expected timeline places commercial production at Rhyolite Ridge by 2028, setting a benchmark for future domestic lithium projects and supporting the U.S. supply chain for clean energy materials. With this project, Ioneer projects that Nevada will play a key role in powering the nation's transition to electric vehicles, marking an economic and industrial boon for the state's rural communities.

Check out Nevada's White Gold Rush– Mining for the Future in the Lithium Era for more on lithium's future in the Silver State.