Nevada
Report: Nevada’s lithium boom comes at the expense of Indigenous rights
As the Trump administration continues its push to secure critical minerals like lithium, the U.S. government and private corporations have ignored Indigenous peoples’ rights in Nevada. That’s according to a report released today by Amnesty International, which is calling for the suspension of federal permits for all lithium mines in the state.
The Silver State has emerged as a key source of lithium, the main component in electric vehicle and other batteries. About 85 percent of the country’s known reserves are in Nevada, and several Indigenous nations and organizations, alongside environmentalists, have been fighting for years against its extraction and the environmental risks that creates, including water contamination and biodiversity loss. “This is our land,” said Fermina Stevens, a member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone and the executive director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project. “We should have a say in what happens. But I know that they don’t want us there because Nevada is so rich in all of these minerals.”
The three projects Amnesty International highlights in its report are Thacker Pass Lithium Mine, Nevada North Lithium Project, and Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. Each is located primarily on public land that the Western Shoshone and Paiute people consider unceded territory. Thacker Pass is under construction and Rhyolite Ridge is slated to begin construction this year, while Nevada North is in the exploratory phase.
Amnesty International’s report says all three are violating Indigenous peoples’ right to free, prior, and informed consent. That principle, known as FPIC, is an international standard that affirms Indigenous peoples’ right to approve or deny projects that impact their land and communities. Although the projects were approved by federal agencies, Amnesty International argues the review processes fell short of FPIC and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or UNDRIP.
“They’ve got to come down on the right side,” Mark Dummett, the organization’s head of business and human rights, said of the mining companies. “They’ve got to come down on the side of human rights, rather than getting the minerals at all costs.” He added that, regardless of domestic laws in the countries in which they operate, these firms must follow international human rights standards. The report also highlights the impact of the Trump administration’s push for deregulation, including fast-tracked permits and limited environmental review, which reduces the ability of Indigenous peoples to offer full consent.
In a statement, a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Interior said, “The climate crazed activists behind this report are notorious for making baseless claims, repeatedly rejected by courts, as part of their pathetic rage against energy production that is not only bipartisan, but proven to benefit the American people.” They also said that a review of lithium projects in Nevada by the federal Bureau of Land Management included extensive environmental review and opportunity for tribal engagement.
Nevada is experiencing a lithium boom that has seen more than 20,000 claims filed. The report also comes amid global resistance by Indigenous peoples to “green transition” mining that they say comes at the expense of their land and rights. Given the increasing demand for minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, Dummett said that mining companies around the world are taking advantage of gaps in regulation and human rights enforcement. “The way that this mining has always taken place has been incredibly damaging to the environment and people,” Dummett said. “We don’t want to see the mistakes of the past repeated.”
Stevens said that although her people have experienced a long history of land theft and abuse by the U.S. government and corporations, consultation has grown even more perfunctory amid the worldwide drive for lithium, which has surged since the war in Iran. “War and the military complex is all that they can see,” she said. “And so they’re blinded to the things that are sacred, that are more important for human survival. And I just don’t think that they care about those things.”
Lithium Americas, the owner of the Thacker Pass mine, disputed many of the report’s claims in a response submitted to Amnesty International, including inadequate consultation, environmental risks, and violation of Indigenous rights. Its reply also noted that UNDRIP is not binding in the United States, but argued that the project complies with it anyway. “The Thacker Pass Project has the potential to significantly advance America’s electrification efforts, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals — strengthening America’s energy future. LAC has made stakeholder engagement, including with Tribes, an important part of the development of the Project,” its response reads.
A spokesperson for Ioneer, the owner of the Rhyolite Ridge project, said the company “respectfully but firmly disagrees with the findings released by Amnesty International,” and highlighted the company’s engagement with tribes. “We take great pride in our compliance with all U.S. legal requirements and remain committed to a transparent process that respects tribal sovereignty while delivering a reliable and secure domestic supply of critical minerals,” the spokesperson said.
Surge and Evolution, the owners of the Nevada North Lithium Project, did not respond to a request for comment, but in a response to Amnesty International, Evolution said, “We take all reasonable efforts to conduct proactive and ongoing engagement with Indigenous peoples.”
Indigenous leaders said they do not expect the mining companies to change, but will continue the fight to protect their land. “We can survive without technology, but we can’t survive without water,” Stevens said. “We can’t save the Earth through the energy transition while we’re simultaneously destroying biodiversity.”
Here’s to more resources for Nevada entrepreneurs.
The state of Nevada has launched Build Nevada, an AI-powered platform connecting founders, operators and growth-stage companies with Nevada’s capital infrastructure and expansion opportunities. The platform helps companies identify pathways to funding and growth in the state.
Through the platform, companies submit structured project profiles outlining what they are building, their traction, team, and growth plans. Projects are then matched with relevant capital pathways, financing tools and strategic partners across Nevada’s innovation ecosystem. Typical opportunities range from $250,000 to over $3 million, including venture equity, equipment financing, growth lending and expansion capital tied to Nevada operations.
First team
P: Hudson Ciulla, Bishop Gorman – The senior went 7-0 with a 2.61 ERA, 90 strikeouts in 59 innings and two saves. He is committed to Gonzaga.
P: Liam Radke, Faith Lutheran – The junior was the 5A pitcher of the year going 6-3 with a 2.11 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 56⅓ innings. He is committed to TCU.
P: Jack Stoner, Bishop Gorman – The senior went 7-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 54⅓ innings. He is committed to East Carolina.
P: Dominic Tiberi, Centennial – The senior went 7-2 with a 2.03 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 65⅔ innings pitched. He is committed to Cochise College (Arizona).
P: Johnny Villarreal, Basic – The senior went 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 42⅓ innings pitched. He is committed to St. Mary’s (California).
C: Gavin Gottschall, Foothill – The junior hit .396 with 30 hits and 17 RBIs.
C: T.J. Otis, Centennial – The sophomore hit .404 with 42 hits and 36 RBIs.
IF: Brody Griffith, Desert Oasis – The senior hit .468 with five home runs, 44 hits and 23 RBIs. He is committed to Air Force.
IF: Hogan Hawkins, Silverado – The senior hit .438 with 42 hits and 34 RBIs, and went 5-2 on the mound with a 0.56 ERA and 53 strikeouts. He is committed to BYU.
IF: Kingston Kela, Faith Lutheran – The senior hit .462 with six home runs, 42 hits and 34 RBIs. He is committed to TCU.
IF: Matthew Kelley, Basic – The senior hit .463 with four home runs, 28 hits and 26 RBIs. He is committed to Texas A&M.
IF: Devin Martin, Arbor View — The senior was a first-team 5A Southern Nevada selection by the coaches to help Arbor View finish 30-8. He is committed to CSN.
IF: Justin Rodrigues, Bishop Gorman – The junior hit .430 with eight home runs, 52 hits and 42 RBIs for the 5A state champion.
IF: Rookie Shepard, Faith Lutheran – The senior led 5A with a .511 batting average, with 47 hits and 31 RBIs. He is committed to Miami (Florida).
OF: Stone Amsden, Palo Verde – The junior was fourth in 5A with a .477 batting average, with 42 hits and 19 RBIs.
OF: Colton Christman, Arbor View – The senior was a first-team 5A Southern Nevada selection by the coaches to help Arbor View finish 30-8. He is committed to LSU.
OF: Andruw Giles, Basic – The senior was the 5A player of the year and hit .494 with five home runs, 38 hits and 23 RBIs. He is committed to Oregon.
OF: DaMari Hall, Bishop Gorman – The senior hit .442 with five home runs, 42 hits and 43 RBIs. He is committed to play college football at Washington State.
OF: Jet McNelis, Green Valley – The senior hit .391 with four home runs, 36 hits and 25 RBIs, and as a pitcher went 4-1 in 43⅓ innings and 45 strikeouts. He is committed to CSN.
OF: Jake Turner, Centennial – The junior hit .392 with 10 home runs, 38 hits and 38 RBIs, and was 5-0 with a 2.02 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched. He is committed to TCU.
UTL: Giovanni Guariglia, Silverado – The senior was the MaxPreps state player of the year with a state-high 18 home runs while batting .323 with 44 RBIs and went 6-1 on the mound with a 1.38 ERA and 74 strikeouts. He is committed to TCU.
UTL: Lucas Jaggers, SECTA – The senior hit . 398 with five home runs, 35 hits and 27 RBIs for the 4A state champion. He is committed to Eastern Arizona College.
UTL: Austin Rodriguez, Liberty – The sophomore hit .467 with 42 hits and 22 RBIs.
UTL: Alex Scaggs, Arbor View – The junior was a first-team 5A Southern Nevada selection by the coaches to help Arbor View finish 30-8. He is committed to Cal State Bakersfield.
Coach of the year
Bill Stuber, SECTA – Guided the Roadrunners to the Class 4A state championship, the program’s first baseball state title in his 21st year leading the program.
Second team
P: Briggs Barlow, SETCA – The senior went 6-4 with a 2.39 ERA and 55 strikeouts, and batted.310 with 27 hits and 22 RBIs.
P: Lincoln Evans, Basic – The senior was 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA and 40 strikeouts. He is committed to CSN.
P: Shawn Mack, Liberty – The senior was a second-team 5A All-Southern Nevada pitcher by the coaches, going 5-3 with a 5.38 ERA and 61 strikeouts.
P: Connor McDonald, Palo Verde – The sophomore went 7-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched.
P: Crue Smith, Desert Oasis – The senior went 5-2 with a 1.75 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 40 innings.
C: Spencer Aten, Boulder City – The junior hit .535 with seven home runs, 61 hits and 56 RBIs.
C: Tommy McDonald, Sierra Vista – The senior was a second-team 5A All-Southern Nevada catcher by the coaches, batting .373 with 15 RBIs.
IF: Michael Alvarado, Sierra Vista – The senior hit .473 with 44 hits and 15 RBIs.
IF: Kyle Johnson, Palo Verde – The senior hit .368 with five home runs, 32 hits and 24 RBIs.
IF: Noah Knudson, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit .388 with 40 hits and 26 RBIs.
IF: Connor Long, Bishop Gorman – The junior hit .382 with four home runs, 42 hits and 31 RBIs. He is committed to Oregon.
IF: Joseph Lusch, Green Valley – The senior hit .366 with six home runs, 30 hits and 29 RBIs, and went 4-2 with a 1.91 ERA in 10 appearances on the mound.
IF: Troy Southisene, Basic – The senior hit .349 with 30 hits and 20 RBIs. He is committed to Oregon State.
IF: Chase Wilk, Bishop Gorman – The senior batted .313 with five home runs, 31 hits and 31 RBIs. He is committed to Minnesota.
OF: Ethan Gordon, Faith Lutheran – The junior hit .425 with 31 hits and 25 runs scored.
OF: Logan Grubbs, Bishop Gorman – The junior hit .343 with 37 hits and 39 RBIs.
OF: Keimani Johnson, Palo Verde – The senior hit .360 with 40 hits and 29 RBIs.
OF: Tyson Lake, Legacy – The senior hit .375 with 36 hits and 13 RBIs.
OF: Karsen Smaka, Palo Verde – The junior hit .357 with four home runs, 41 hits and 33 RBIs.
UTL: Tucker Christman, Arbor View – The freshman was a second-team 5A All-Southern Nevada selection by the coaches who helped the Aggies finish 30-8.
UTL: Nick Collingbourne, SECTA – The senior hit .377 with 23 hits and 16 RBIs for the 4A state champion.
UTL: Macen Collura, Faith Lutheran – The senior hit .385 with four home runs, 37 hits and 22 RBIs.
UTL: Ashton Kidd, Desert Oasis – The senior hit .301 with 23 RBIs and 16 RBIs as a first team 5A designated hitter by the coaches.
UTL: Evan Noble, Shadow Ridge – The senior hit .386 with 39 hits and 34 RBIs. He is committed to San Francisco.
Honorable mention
Steve Alvarado, Foothill
Kane Barber, Centennial
Jaxon Burr, Centennial
Raymundo Chevalier, Cheyenne
Preston Clark, Silverado
Payton Conley-Cimini, Palo Verde
Tate Crine, Boulder City
Ian Denney, Mater East
James Durham, Foothill
David Edwards, SECTA
Olvin Espinoza, Legacy
Aiden Farrell, Durango
Edgar Garcia, Western
Jordan Goodsell, Virgin Valley
Ryland Gregorich, Clark
Lincoln Guillermo, Desert Oasis
Trevor Henson, Centennial
Ajay Hermosura, Bishop Gorman
Chase Hurley, Centennial
Damon Kodesko, Spring Valley
Easton Lake, Legacy
Brayden Leavitt, Shadow Ridge
Lyndon Lee, Basic
Brayden Lenahan, Spring Valley
Quinthus Mason, Foothill
Mickey Martinez, Las Vegas High
Nathan Mayorga, Sierra Vista
Ryder Metz, Coronado
Benson Ornelas, Mater East
Dylan Othick, Faith Lutheran
Dillon Owens, Bonanza
Vincent Perrone, Spring Valley
Caleb Piehler, Foothill
Adrian Ramos, Mater East
Johnny Ramos, Rancho
Adrian Ruiz, Laughlin
Lucas Salas, The Meadows
Carter Sekikawa, SECTA
Matthew Smoot, Coronado
Ryder Schuette, Lake Mead Academy
Aidan Smith, Desert Oasis
Rylan Swanbeck, Clark
Will Teeples, Boulder City
Colin Tocker, Mater East
Tony Whitney, Pahrump Valley
Danny Yeates, Lake Mead Academy
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
First team
P: Makamae Eugenio, Bishop Gorman – The junior had seven wins with a 4.33 ERA and 96 strikeouts and hit .442 with six home runs and 25 RBIs at the plate.
P: Ava Henderson, Arbor View – The junior went 11-5 with a 2.68 ERA and 139 strikeouts, and hit .337 with 29 RBIs. She is committed to Cal Baptist.
P: Ava Koenig, Palo Verde – The senior was the 5A pitcher of the year and went 13-1 with a 0.71 ERA and 103 strikeouts, and hit .554 with five home runs and 29 RBIs. She is committed to Boston University.
P: Madison Pitts, Faith Lutheran – The freshman was the 4A Mountain League pitcher of the year, going 15-0 with a 0.36 ERA and 141 strikeouts for the 4A state champion.
C: Presley Crowder, Liberty – The sophomore hit .418 with 33 hits and 25 RBIs.
C: Chase Magdaleno, Coronado – The senior hit .427 with 35 hits and 23 RBIs.
IF: Kayleen Enriquez, Palo Verde – The senior hit .410 with 34 hits and 16 RBIs. She is committed to UC Riverside.
IF: Summer Gilliam, Coronado – The senior hit .551 with 49 hits and 25 RBIs.
IF: Bailey Goldberg, Coronado – The senior hit .575 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs to be named the 5A MVP. She is committed to Oregon.
IF: Rosie Hensley Mokiao, Shadow Ridge – The sophomore hit .544 with 37 hits and 40 RBIs.
IF: Taylor Johns, Palo Verde – The senior hit .622 with a state-record 21 home runs and 43 RBIs. She is committed to Georgia.
IF: Breanna Nielson, Shadow Ridge – The sophomore hit .562 with 50 hits and 25 RBIs.
IF: Madilyn Lowy, Arbor View – The junior hit .375 with five home runs and 37 RBIs.
IF: Samantha Williams, Palo Verde – The senior hit .419 with four home runs and 26 RBIs.
OF: Lyla Baxter, Green Valley – The senior hit .400 with four home runs, 18 RBIs and 18 hits. She is committed to UC San Diego.
OF: Devaeh Crawford, Shadow Ridge – The freshman hit .457 with five home runs, 37 hits and 35 RBIs.
OF: Alexis Kearnes, Palo Verde – The junior hit .429 with 33 hits and 19 RBIs.
OF: Malaya Tellis, Arbor View – The junior hit .395 with 47 hits and 31 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.
OF: Gwen Thewes, Bishop Gorman – The junior hit .500 with five home runs, 18 RBIs and 50 hits.
OF: Peyton Williams, Arbor View – The freshman hit .571 with seven home runs and 39 RBIs.
UTL: Melia Aionaaka, Shadow Ridge – The junior hit .398 with 25 hits, 23 RBIs and went 9-3 on the mound with a 4.18 ERA.
UTL: Abigail Estrada, Centennial – The sophomore hit .461 with 47 hits and 24 RBIs.
UTL: Haley Kearnes, Palo Verde – The senior hit .382 with 29 hits and 17 RBIs, and was 10-0 with a 2.73 ERA on the mound.
UTL: Audrey Melton, Arbor View – The senior hit .449 with 42 RBIs and was 12-2 on the mound with a 1.94 ERA and 49 strikeouts.
Coach of the year
Angel Council, Palo Verde – The first-year coach guided the Panthers to a 24-1 record to win the Class 5A state championship.
Second team
P: Hailey Dixon, Centennial – The senior went 9-5 with a 4.51 ERA in 107 innings pitched.
P: Laila Esparza, SECTA – The sophomore hit .500 with five home runs and 39 RBIs and went 11-2 on the mound with a 2.02 ERA and 87 strikeouts.
P: Jaycie Hayes, Pahrump Valley – The freshman went 21-7, which led the state for wins, with a 1.52 ERA and the most strikeouts in the state with 298, and hit .462 with 54 RBIs.
P: Alissa Perkins, Desert Oasis – The junior had a 1.96 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, and hit .525 with four home runs and 33 RBIs.
C: Campbell Cole, Centennial – The senior hit .352 with 38 hits and 18 RBIs.
C: Halle Law, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit six home runs and had 21 RBIs as the everyday catcher for the 5A state champion.
IF: Ava Cruz, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit .328 with five home runs, 20 hits and 20 RBIs.
IF: Lilly Easton, Arbor View – The sophomore hit .378 with 45 hits and 22 RBIs.
IF: Abigail Estrada, Centennial – The sophomore hit .461 with 47 hits and 24 RBIs.
IF: EmmaLynn Hussey, Doral Academy – The sophomore hit. 446 with 33 hits and 10 RBIs.
IF: Isabella Lenahan, Spring Valley – The senior hit .662 with eight home runs and 62 RBIs.
IF: Logan Sanford, Liberty — The senior hit .440 with 37 hits and 12 RBIs.
IF: Zoey TarBush, Faith Lutheran – The sophomore hit .556 with 45 hits, five home runs and 33 RBIs, and went 10-1 with a 1.07 ERA on the mound.
OF: Sophie Bendlin, Coronado – The junior hit .452 with 33 hits.
OF: Amelia Carlson, Centennial – The sophomore hit .393 with 33 hits and 21 RBIs
OF: Sophia DeMonbrun, Clark – The senior hit .707 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs, and recorded 195 strikeouts and nine wins on the mound.
OF: Lauryn Galvin, Green Valley – The senior hit .422 with 19 hits and 10 RBIs.
OF: Elise Hanseen, Centennial – The senior hit .385 with 35 hits and 26 RBIs.
OF: Keileanna Johnson, Palo Verde – The sophomore hit .321 with 17 hits and 12 RBIs and on defense did not have an error.
UTL: Loa Duarte, Shadow Ridge – The freshman hit .444 with 24 hits and 23 RBIs and went 8-2 on the mound.
UTL: Brynndal Gonzales, Faith Lutheran – The sophomore hit .508 with 33 hits and 54 runs scored.
UTL: Francesca Hull, Arbor View – The sophomore hit .359 with 28 hits and 23 RBIs.
UTL: Elena Rodriguez, Legacy – The senior hit .475 with 19 hits and 11 RBIs and was 13-3 with a 3.13 ERA.
UTL: Charli Taylor, Liberty – The freshman hit .427 with eight home runs, 42 hits and 24 RBIs.
Honorable mention
Evaleene Armendariz, Pahrump Valley
Victoria Beebe, Legacy
Ella Bradley, Faith Lutheran
Zoey Brager, Faith Lutheran
Amelia Carlson, Centennial
Shawnee Casorla, Arbor View
Madison Castellon, Legacy
Gabriella Colarco, Cadence
Kalea Copenhefer, Doral Academy
Kamzlee Dalton, Virgin Valley
Evie Davis, Pahranagat Valley
Bella Dimmick, Faith Lutheran
Kaitlyn Dunigan, Desert Oasis
Maliah Harrell, Arbor View
Mia Mor Hernandez, Green Valley
Leah Henderson, Foothill
Julia Leavitt, Virgin Valley
Aliyah Loafea-Carter, Arbor View
Valeria Lopez, Centennial
Dani Luevanos, Liberty
Emiko Kalani, Mojave
Amelia McClerkin, Legacy
Audrie McClerkin, Legacy
Arianni Mollinedo, Coronado
Aspen Middaugh, Pahrump Valley
Ayla Murphy, Bonanza
Sofia Nazario, Legacy
Jasmine Ponce, Cimarron-Memorial
Scotti Powell, Laughlin
Sofia Quigley, Palo Verde
Naima Ralston, SLAM! Nevada
Jasslyn Ramos, Cimarron-Memorial
Natalie Ramos, Basic
Taylor Ramos, Cimarron-Memorial
Payton Rogers, Boulder City
Veyda Simon, Desert Oasis
Gia Salazar, Lake Mead Academy
Davie Slack, Virgin Valley
Portland Stacey, Liberty
Megan Upp, Doral Academy
Camren VanThomme, Foothill
Jaylynn Wymbs, Laughlin
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
-
Kansas2 minutes agoEngland get rapturous welcome as they settle in to sprawling Kansas City home
-
Kentucky7 minutes agoKentucky Bluegrass 3 Wheel Klassic returning to Owensboro for second year
-
Louisiana14 minutes ago
Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for June 13, 2026
-
Maine17 minutes agoMaine’s Dempsey Center shows the way on supportive cancer care | Opinion
-
Maryland22 minutes agoAFRO News endorses Brooke Lierman for Maryland Comptroller
-
Michigan29 minutes agoMan accused of vehicle theft, kidnapping roommate arrested in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
-
Massachusetts32 minutes agoHigh School Roundup: Massachusetts D-I baseball and softball titles
-
Minnesota37 minutes agoLynx rally falls short in Las Vegas
