Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Project Clears Major U.S. Federal Permitting Step, Advances Toward Construction
Ioneer Ltd (“Ioneer”) (ASX: INR, NASDAQ: IONR) moved one step closer toward construction at its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project following announced publication by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Rhyolite Ridge, which will create hundreds of good-paying jobs in rural Esmeralda County, Nevada, becomes the first lithium project to reach this advanced stage of the environmental permitting review process under the Biden Administration as part of its efforts to accelerate U.S. lithium production.
Rhyolite Ridge is set to quadruple the nation’s lithium supply, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and processors, and develop a domestic source of urgently needed materials in the U.S. electric vehicle battery production supply chain. The Final EIS incorporates feedback received during the earlier public comment period and provides decision-makers and the public with detailed information related to the project, including its on-site processing facility. Issuance of the Final EIS is the result of years of effective collaboration between Ioneer and federal, state and local agencies and Tribal Nations.
“Since Ioneer’s work at Rhyolite Ridge began in 2016, we have listened to members of the community and adapted our plans to maximize the project’s many economic benefits while minimizing indirect impacts to the community and environment. Rhyolite Ridge is stronger because of the extensive collaboration and input from all involved stakeholders,” said Bernard Rowe, Managing Director, Ioneer. “Today’s issuance not only advances the Rhyolite Ridge project but brings the United States closer to a more secure and sustainable source of domestic critical minerals.”
“The publication of the Final EIS is a significant milestone for Rhyolite Ridge. This achievement underscores our company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development,” said James Calaway, Executive Chairman, Ioneer. “We look forward to the conclusion of the 30-day statutory waiting period and timely issuance of the Record of Decision to advance Rhyolite Ridge into construction. We are eager to get to work in contributing to the domestic supply of critical materials essential for the transition to a clean energy future.”