• A coalition challenges Utah water permit for lithium mining.
• Concerns over groundwater, ecosystems, and farming impacts.
• Unproven mining technology could threaten Green River.
• Local residents fear for their water and livelihoods.

October 17, 2024 — A coalition of environmental groups, local businesses, and Green River residents filed a lawsuit on October 15, 2024, in Utah’s Seventh Judicial District Court. The suit challenges the approval of a water permit for a controversial lithium mining project that would extract water from deep underground near the Green River. The lawsuit, led by Great Basin Water Network and Living Rivers, aims to block the Australian mining company Anson Resources from moving forward with its project until stricter scrutiny is applied to protect water resources and the community.

Protecting the Green River.

At the heart of the lawsuit is the coalition’s concern that using untested methods, lithium mining could harm groundwater, surface water, and agriculture along the Green River, a key tributary of the Colorado River. Anson’s plan involves using billions of gallons of water to extract lithium from brine 10,000 feet below the surface. Although the company claims the process is “non-consumptive,” critics argue that reinjecting the brine back into the ground may deplete or contaminate connected water sources.

Living Rivers’ Conservation Director, John Weisheit, voiced strong opposition: “The courts must consider the arbitrary and capricious nature of the State Engineer’s decision. Utah regulators are giving a foreign-backed company free rein to turn Green River into an energy colony.”

Ripple Effects for Utah.

The Green River farming community is particularly anxious about the potential impacts. “This proposed lithium extraction site will be mere feet from my front yard and the river,” said local farmer Gayna Salinas. “We need accountability to ensure our water and farms are protected.”

According to Kyle Roerink, executive director of Great Basin Water Network, the project raises larger concerns across the state: “What happens in Green River will have a ripple effect across Utah. The Green Energy transition cannot be a gold rush that harms any water body in the Colorado River Basin.”

Unproven Technology in a Fragile Environment.

Anson’s proposed method of Direct Lithium Extraction is still largely untested at the scale they are proposing, and the lawsuit highlights concerns that the technique could interfere with fresh water supplies. Even though the company asserts that the deep brines are disconnected from fresh groundwater, the coalition’s supplemental protests argue the opposite. Additionally, the proximity to a radioactive aquifer contaminated by a nearby uranium mill heightens fears of long-term public health risks.

The plaintiffs also criticize the lack of royalty agreements for extracting Utah’s mineral wealth. Without these agreements, the state may not benefit from the extraction of valuable resources.

The lawsuit is pushing for a full review of the water permit to ensure the protection of the Green River’s water systems and the welfare of its surrounding communities. As this case proceeds, the future of lithium mining in Utah and its potential environmental impacts remain uncertain.

Image Source:  Great Basin Water Network & Living Waters press release.

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