BLM Greenlights New Lithium Exploration Project in Arizona

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has given the green light to the Big Sandy Valley Lithium Exploration Project near Wikieup. This decision, shaped by extensive feedback from the public and Tribal Nations, permits Big Sandy, Inc.—a subsidiary of Arizona Lithium Ltd.—to drill and test up to 131 exploration holes over approximately 21 acres of BLM-managed public land to assess the potential for a full-scale lithium mining operation. The drilling will be carried out by the Navajo Transitional Energy Company.

Should mining feasibility be established and the company proposes commercial lithium mining activities, they must submit a development plan. This plan would undergo further environmental scrutiny and offer opportunities for additional public input.

In 2021, the BLM concluded a 30-day public comment period, extended twice, to gather input from stakeholders and interested user groups. In response to feedback from the public and Tribes, adjustments were made to the initial exploration plan in collaboration with the proponent. The final environmental assessment and related documents can be accessed via the BLM National NEPA Register.

In response to concerns voiced by the Hualapai Tribe, Big Sandy, Inc. has amended its exploration plan. The revisions involve the elimination of a groundwater well situated close to a sacred hot spring, as well as the removal of a nearby staging area. Instead, water necessary for the drilling activities will be transported to the location by trucks. Additionally, the proponent has pledged to allow the Hualapai Tribe and other descendant Tribal communities the chance to oversee ground-disturbing activities conducted onsite.

Lithium ranks among the 50 minerals classified as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey, underscoring its significance to the nation's economy, national security, and susceptibility in the supply chain. Lithium batteries find widespread application in various sectors, including portable electronic gadgets, vehicles, and grid storage systems.

Founded in 1946, the BLM stands as the largest land manager in the United States. Its origins trace back to the post-independence years when the nation started acquiring more lands. Initially, these lands were allocated to promote homesteading and westward expansion. The General Land Office was established in 1812 to facilitate this objective.

As societal values and perspectives on public lands evolved, President Harry S. Truman orchestrated a governmental restructuring, merging the General Land Office (GLO) and the U.S. Grazing Service to establish the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM oversees 245 million acres of public lands, which equates to one-tenth of the nation's acreage, along with 700 million acres of mineral estate. These public lands and subsurface holdings play pivotal roles in the well-being of communities and households nationwide. BLM operates through 12 primary regional offices and headquarters situated in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Washington, DC.