GREEN RIVER, Utah — On Wednesday, a conservation coalition filed a lawsuit challenging the approval of an Australian company’s plan for Green River lithium mining.
It follows the Utah Division of Environmental Quality’s approval of Anson Resources‘ application to extract lithium from Green River groundwater. Blackstone Mineral NV LLC, an Anson Resources subsidiary, filed the application. It requested nearly 14,000 acre-feet of water from the Green River.
Anson Resources has 100% ownership of Blackstone Mineral.
A press release said the coalition filed the lawsuit to ensure public officials are held accountable.
“The recent decision from the State Engineer gives a foreign-backed company a free pass from Utah regulators to turn Green River into an energy colony,” said Living Rivers Conservation Director John Weisheit. “The courts must consider the arbitrary and capricious nature of the State Engineer’s decision.”
On its project website, Anson Resources said it is interested in the area near the Green River because it lies above abandoned wells. Accessing existing wells is cheaper than drilling new ones.
The Green River is a tributary of the Colorado River, which is currently being threatened by a mega-drought.
Although lithium is accessible through existing wells, Anson Resources said they plan to drill new disposal wells. The new wells will help return used water after lithium extraction.
According to the Great Basin Water Network, the approval followed months of regulatory disputes. Great Basin Water Network said Anson Resources’ project would require billions of gallons of water.
Anson Resources said it plans to use a non-consumptive extraction technique known as direct lithium extraction.
According to the Stanford Report, direct lithium extraction is a new method. As water is returned to the ground after lithium extraction, it is often touted as more sustainable.
In contrast, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Climate Portal said traditional lithium mining involves allowing water to evaporate.
Bloomberg NEF said direct lithium extraction has not yet become commercialized.
A Green River farmer weighs in
Gayna Salinas is a Green River farmer who is skeptical of Anson Resources’ effort. Court documents said Salinas owns water rights near Anson Resources’ desired project area.
“We are not assured that the State Engineer’s decision follows the letter of the law. This lawsuit is an important next step for the people and resources of Green River to ensure accountability,” said Salinas.
Great Basin Water Network Executive Director Kyle Roerink said that events connected to Green River lithium mining could have a ripple effect across the state.
“The Green Energy transition cannot be a gold rush that impacts any water body in the Colorado River Basin. This important action ensures we get the best decisions possible for local communities targeted by companies looking to make a fast buck,” said Roerink.
