- The future of ioneer’s (INR) Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine has been further shrouded in uncertainty amid claims its presence is threatening the existence of a potentially endangered Nevada wildflower
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded an investigation into Tiehm’s buckwheat becoming endangered was warranted, posing the question as to how and if INR’s mine could operate going forward
- ioneer’s Managing Director said the company fully supports commitments to protect the species but noted the plant was also under threat from other factors
- According to the U.S. Center for Biological Diversity, the entire global habitat of Tiehm’s buckwheat covers 10 acres of public land in western Nevada, which is also speculated to host the largest known lithium and boron deposit in North America
- ioneer shares are down 13.8 per cent to trade at 32.8 cents
The future of ioneer’s (INR) Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine has been further shrouded in uncertainty amid claims its presence is threatening the existence of a potentially endangered Nevada wildflower.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concluded an investigation into an Endangered Species Act listing of Tiehm’s buckwheat is “warranted” with a final decision expected in September 2021 following a period of public comment.
INR’s proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium mine is located in the same stretch of soils where Tiehm’s buckwheat lives. It is unclear exactly to what extent INR’s mine could operate from that point should the species become endangered.
ioneer’s Managing Director said the company fully supports FWS’s commitment to protect and preserve the species but noted the plant was also under threat from other factors.
“As previously noted by FWS, the plant is specifically under threat from the ongoing drought, and unusual acts of herbivory by small mammals,” he said.
“We remain confident that the science strongly supports the coexistence of our vital lithium operation and Tiehm’s buckwheat,” he concluded.
ioneer has previously indicated it would conduct additional measures to avoid impact on Tiehm’s buckwheat, which includes conducting drilling from a safe distance from the plants.
Rhyolite Ridge is speculated to be the largest known lithium and boron deposit in North America.
According to the U.S. Center for Biological Diversity, the entire global habitat of Tiehm’s buckwheat covers 10 acres of public land in Esmeralda County in western Nevada.
ioneer shares are down 13.8 per cent to trade at 32.8 cents at 11:25 am AEST.