Nevada Desert's Tabletop Flat, Vital for Satellite Calibration, Faces Opposition from NASA Regarding Lithium Mining
Opposition to lithium mining in Nevada's desert comes not only from environmentalists and tribal leaders but also from an unexpected source: space. NASA has requested the withdrawal of a 36-square-mile tract of land, rich in lithium, from potential mining use due to its crucial role in calibrating satellite measurements essential for various applications such as weather forecasting, national security, and climate change monitoring. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics pointing out the paradox of needing lithium for clean energy objectives while protecting the land necessary for satellite accuracy.
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The U.S. Energy Department is currently engaged in discussions to potentially provide a record-breaking $1 billion loan to the developer of one of the largest lithium deposits in the United States.