Nevada
No regulatory ‘shortcuts’ for mining exploration in Nevada
Re: “Lawmakers need statewide lithium plan, says conservation group,” Feb. 20:
As a retired exploration geologist, I’ve noted multiple articles on the recent lithium boom to be misleading. Most recently, the article by the Nevada Current’s Jeniffer Solis presents a very misleading picture of the lithium “boom,” leaving the reader to believe that legislative and regulatory reforms are needed. Although there are certainly places where resource extraction should be prohibited, the vast majority of these are already withdrawn as wilderness areas, wildlife refuges, cultural sites and other off-limits sites.
The article begins by stating that there are more than 80 proposed lithium projects in Nevada, failing to note the status of any project. Currently one new lithium mine is under construction, and one project is in the process of mine permitting. A small number are conducting early-stage drilling under BLM and state permits. Most are simply lithium prospects staked by small companies or individuals. Many never reach the initial drill stage, and very few prove viable beyond initial drilling.
As exploration geologists, we don’t get to choose where a mineral deposit occurs; we follow geological clues to find the very few deposits that can be extracted economically. The Tonopah area is a lithium exploration hot spot due to the favorable geologic environment. The Town of Tonopah was built on silver-gold deposits discovered there in the early 1900s, and this geological environment is also favorable to host other deposits including copper, molybdenum and lithium.
Oversight from multiple agencies
Solis claims that “according to the Association of State Geologists, the United States lacks an effective process for gathering, organizing, compiling or publicly sharing geologic data that would help in the identification of valuable mineral deposits.” While there is much room for improvement, multiple agencies with appropriate expertise are charged with these tasks.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the principle federal agency with that responsibility; Congress recently appropriated funds for that purpose. The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NVBMG) and Nevada Division of Minerals cooperate with the USGS and several State entities (including UNR, UNLV, and DRI) to conduct detailed geologic evaluations which better define prospective areas and historic mine sites for valuable resources (metals, geothermal).
In addition to the geological surveys, the USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Nevada Division of Wildlife are charged with ecosystem management and protection of threatened and endangered species. All of this data is public and available via the UNR library, USGS and NVBMG and other websites. Regulators, mining companies and the general public rely extensively on this data to begin the more rigorous search for resources of interest, in addition to environmental or cultural concerns.
Federal and state permitting begins before the first exploration disturbance can occur. For initial exploration projects with minimal disturbance (less than five acres), this is typically a 15-day review of the project and its potential impacts on biological, cultural and other resources; protective measures are stipulated. If the initial work produces encouraging results, additional permitting requires detailed biological, cultural and other surveys conducted by independent experts. Results of these studies are compiled into environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the direction of the BLM or U.S. Forest Service and multiple state agencies. Under an exploration plan of operations, disturbance remains limited and timing of activities may also be significantly restricted. These more advanced permits typically require a minimum of 18 months to prepare prior to allowing additional disturbance. Assuming that exploration successfully defines a viable project, mine permitting requires additional studies and review, tacking a minimum of 18-24 months to the timeline for a small, minimal impact operation.
No ‘shortcuts’ exist
Permitting of exploration and mining projects is increasingly difficult throughout the West, due in part to lawsuits filed by activist groups, including Patrick Donnelly’s Center for Biological Diversity. The CBD claims to support domestic mining so long as it is “done in the right places and with the right techniques. We oppose business-as-usual mining, dewatering of open pits, pit lakes, excessive water consumption, extinction of species or severe degradation of habitat, and regulatory shortcuts …”
There are no regulatory “shortcuts.” As noted above, the permitting process begins with identification and avoidance of sensitive areas during exploration and appropriate mitigation prior to mining. Mitigation may include permanent avoidance of certain areas.
A reality check is in order for minerals to drive a “green transition,” as lithium is not the only critical metal needed. Mining of copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese will all need to be dramatically increased as well for production of batteries and other resource intensive items. Ultimately, the solution to determining where responsible mining occurs is through appropriate geological, biological and cultural studies. Appropriate funding and prioritization of the state geological surveys is critical to this objective.
Karl Marlowe is a recently retired mineral exploration geologist and lifelong outdoorsman.
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LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas Little League team is one step closer to making it to the Little League World Series.
The Mountain Ridge Seniors are coming off a Nevada state championship they clinched over the weekend, and next week the team heads to Oakland for regional play — with a shot at punching a ticket to Williamsport.
For coach Jon Akin, it’s the deepest run his team has made in 12 years of coaching, including two seasons with All-Stars. And they earned it the hard way.
MORE ON FOX5: Las Vegas Little League president arrested in alleged $64K theft, forgery case, police say
After dropping their first game of the state tournament, the Mountain Ridge Seniors battled back — then rallied in the championship to seal the title.
“We were down 7-1 at one point in the state championship,” Akin said. “We managed to score a few runs over the next couple of innings. We had one inning where we scored 11 runs and managed to come back 18-8.”
Now, it’s back to work — with regionals just days away.
Akin credits the team’s success to the grind: practice six days a week, plus time in the gym.
“They just grind,” he said.
One of the players helping set that tone is Maya Davis, who’s been playing baseball since she was three — and is the only girl on the roster. Akin says Davis has delivered both at the plate and in the field.
“I think she was batting .500,” he said.
Davis says her love of baseball started with her dad, and she’s drawn to how much of the game is mental. She also says being the only girl on the field isn’t something she dwells on.
“It’s pretty normal for me because I’ve done it my whole life,” Davis said. “So, it’s something I’m used to.”
She hopes more kids feel empowered to go after the teams they want — no matter who they are.
“Like, everyone deserves fair, equal rights and to play a sport that’s just a game,” Davis said. “I think anyone can do it and as long as they want to do it.”
As the team prepares for Oakland, Akin says Davis’ impact goes beyond the box score.
“As a player, I mean, she’s a positive influence for all the other players,” he said. “She keeps them motivated. She’s willing to go wherever she’s needed.”
The Mountain Ridge Seniors leave for Oakland on Monday, and the team says they’re grateful for the support they’ve received from the Las Vegas community so far.
Davis is already looking ahead to what comes next, too — with goals to keep playing after this league.
The team is currently raising funds to help with travel expenses.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
Attorney General Aaron Ford announced Wednesday afternoon that his office has reached a nearly $30 million settlement with drug manufacturer Glenmark.
The settlement is part of a multi-state antitrust case against the generic drug manufacturer. 48 U.S. states and territories allege Glenmark engaged in a conspiracy to artificially inflate prices and reduce competition on the sale of more than 100 medications.
That includes drugs used to treat asthma, cancer and diabetes, among other conditions.
Nevada will distribute $41,000 to impacted agencies and over $13 million to a consumer restitution fund.
Individual Nevadans who bought one of Glenmark’s products between May 2009 and December 2019 may also be eligible for monetary compensation. Members of the public can find more information about eligibility at aggenericdrugs.com.
Nevada
Nevada Attorney Gen. Aaron Ford responds to what he calls President Trump’s ‘misleading speech on elections’
CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) – On Thursday, July 16, Nevada Attorney Gen. Aaron Ford responded to President Trump’s “misleading speech on elections.”
“You just watched President Trump attempt to revive conspiracy theories about the 2020 election that have repeatedly been debunked and dismissed by the legal system, independent analyses and state elections officials across the country,” Ford said. “My office fought against these lies from day one, and we successfully defended Nevada’s elections from this ridiculous misinformation.”
Ford said that Trump is trying to bring this topic back to life.
“He does not care that Americans are tired,” Ford said. “He does not care that Nevadans are more concerned with the economic impacts of his illegal tariffs and his disastrous foreign policy. He does not care that Nevadans are worried about his unchecked and dangerous immigration enforcement strategies. He does not care that Nevadans are upset about his attempts to abuse taxpayer dollars to create a personal slush fund through the IRS.”
Ford said Trump is trying to lay the groundwork to make a case to allow federal interference in Nevada’s elections.
“Trump has attempted to illegally interfere with the rights of states to conduct their elections, a right, to be clear, that is enshrined in the Constitution,“ Ford said. ”It is the sovereign right of Nevada and all other states to run their elections. Full stop.”
Ford said his office has always acted swiftly to investigate any allegations of voter fraud.
“Our elections have systems in place to ensure that only eligible people vote and attempts to vote fraudulently can be detected and prosecuted,” Ford said. “Since my time as attorney general, the system has worked, and we’ve prosecuted cases of voter fraud.”
Contrary to the lies that Trump continues to peddle, Ford said, the only threat to our elections is his inability to accept his loss.
“He’s still shopping around for someone, anyone, to tell him he won,” Ford said. “His inability to accept the results of past elections and his fragile ego are driving his desire to seize control of future elections. Our country deserves better.”
Ford said Nevadans are not going to stand idly by while Trump attempts to sow doubt, lies, and confusion about the midterm election. He added that the Secretary of State’s office does an impeccable job at administering Nevada’s elections.
“I will continue to use all of my office’s power to stand up against President Trump’s attempts to illegally expand federal power and interfere with states’ rights,” Ford said. “Nevada’s elections are safe and secure.”
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
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