Plans for lithium project raise environmental concerns in Utah
An Australian company’s plan to extract lithium in Utah faces criticism over water usage and potential radioactive contamination.
Kyle Dunphey reports for Utah News Dispatch.
In short:
- The Utah Division of Water Resources approved A1 Lithium’s application to drill wells near Green River.
- Environmental groups argue the project’s high water usage and proximity to a radioactive aquifer pose risks.
- A1 Lithium asserts the project will be environmentally sustainable and provide local jobs.
Key quote:
“There’s a lot of uncertainty. I’m not anti-lithium. I’m pro public welfare.”
— Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network
Why this matters:
Lithium extraction is vital for electric vehicle production, but it raises environmental and public health concerns, particularly regarding water usage and contamination risks. Lithium extraction is notoriously water-intensive, raising alarms in an already arid state where water scarcity is a pressing issue. Local communities and environmental advocates argue that diverting water for mining operations could exacerbate the drought conditions affecting Utah.
