Nevada
US pulls plug on authorization for lithium exploration next to a national wildlife refuge in Nevada
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Federal land managers have formally withdrawn their authorization of a Canadian mining company’s lithium exploration project bordering a national wildlife refuge in southern Nevada after conservationists sought a court order to block it.
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Amargosa Conservancy said in a lawsuit filed July 7 that the project on the edge of the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge outside Las Vegas posed an illegal risk to a dozen fish, snail and plant species currently protected under the Endangered Species Act.
They filed an additional motion this week in federal court seeking a temporary injunction prohibiting Rover Metals from initiating the drilling of 30 bore sites in search of the highly sought-after metal used to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles.
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Researchers at California State University, Long Beach, used drones to study juvenile white sharks along the Southern California coastline and how close they swim to humans in the water.
But before a judge in Las Vegas could rule on the request, the Bureau of Land Management notified Rover Metals on Wednesday that its earlier acknowledgment of the company’s notice of its intent to proceed “was in error.”
“The agency has concluded that proposed operations are likely to result in disturbance to localized groundwaters that supply the connected surface waters associated with Threatened and Endangered species in local springs,” said Angelita Bulletts, district manager of the bureau’s southern Nevada district.
“BLM is rescinding the Acknowledgment of the Notice issued on April 6 (because) the operator cannot prevent unnecessary or undue degradation based on the record before it,” she wrote in the formal notice Wednesday.
Conservationists said the reversal provides at least a temporary reprieve for the lush oasis in the Mojave Desert that is home to 25 species of fish, plants, insects and snails that are found nowhere else on Earth — one of the highest concentrations of endemic species in North America at one of the hottest, driest places on the planet.
“This is a remarkable victory for our community here in the Amargosa Basin,” said Mason Voehl, the Amargosa Conservancy’s executive director. “Mining doesn’t belong near our beloved Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.”
Rover Metals didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The company announced in April that it had received an “exploration drill permit” from the bureau for its Let’s Go Lithium project planned on 6,000 acres (2,428 hectares) of federal land near the California-Nevada line and Death Valley National Park.
The company maintained that a formal environmental review wasn’t necessary under the National Environmental Policy Act at this stage of the work.
But the Center for Biological Diversity said in a letter to the bureau in May the project planned within 2,000 feet (609 meters) of the refuge was subject to review even at the exploratory stage because of the presence of the protected species, including the endangered pupfish.
It argued the company had to submit a formal plan of operations so the bureau could determine whether it complies with the law in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The agency said Wednesday it agrees.
Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the center, said he was relieved that the combination of the lawsuit and “overwhelming public opposition compelled federal officials to slam the breaks on this project just days before drilling was supposed to start.”
“We need lithium for our renewable energy transition, but this episode sends a message loud and clear that some places are just too special to drill,” he said.
Nevada has a long history of being a business-friendly state. But several companies stand out in making it really big — like, Fortune 500 big — while staying local.
Widely considered a marker of a company’s large-scale success, the Fortune 500 list is compiled annually by Fortune magazine. Companies are ranked by total revenue generated as reported on each company’s annual reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or through similar financial statements shared with a government agency or regulators.
It will come as no surprise that all Nevada-based companies on the list are in the gaming and hospitality industry. Read below to see which ones made the 2024 list:
MGM Resorts International
The Las Vegas-based resort giant, with 14 Strip operations alone, generated almost $16.2 billion in 2024. It hit the middle of the list at #251.
Caesars Entertainment
This Reno-based hospitality brand operates nine Strip hotels and resort-casinos. It generated nearly $11.8 billion in 2024, landing spot #353 on Fortune’s list.
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
The Las Vegas-based international casino and resort company reached #387 on the Fortune 500 list for its roughly $10.4 billion in revenue generated in 2023. The company used to own The Venetian, Palazzo and the property’s convention center, but sold them to Apollo Global Management and VICI Properties in 2022.
The Review-Journal is owned by the Adelson family, including Dr. Miriam Adelson, majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Las Vegas Sands President and COO Patrick Dumont.
Contact McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.
Nevada battled back after falling into a hole in the second half, but the Wolf Pack suffered its first loss of the season, 73-71, to Vanderbilt on Thursday in the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C.
The Wolf Pack plays VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday. Seton Hall beat VCU, 69-66, in overtime Thursday.
Tyler Rolison and Kobe Sanders each had 13 points to lead Nevada as the Wolf Pack fell to 4-1. Brandon Love had 11 points and Nick Davidson added nine points and nine rebounds.
The Commodores led 59-47 midway through the second half. Nevada got back within one in the final minutes but could not get any closer.
Nevada led by 10 in the early going before Vanderbilt rallied to take a 37-35 lead into the break.
Nevada shot 54 percent for the field (29-of-54) while Vanderbilt shot 47 percent (28-59). Both team shot 6-of-15 from 3-point range.
Nevada had a 33-30 edge in rebounding. Both teams had 13 assists. Nevada committed 16 turnovers while Vanderbilt had 13.
A.J. Hoggard, a Michigan State transfer, led Vanderbilt (5-0) with 18 points, Jason Edwards added 16 and MJ Collins had 15. Vanderbilt plays Seton Hall at 2 p.m. Friday.
Nevada’s bench contributed 28 points, 24 for Vanderbilt’s bench.
The Pack had a lull in the second half before clawing back.
It was the first time Nevada had played Vanderbilt.
Former Utah State coach Ryan Odom is the coach at VCU now.
Up Next
- Nevada faces Seton VCU at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the Charleston Classic
- Dec. 2, Washington State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
- Dec. 7, Nevada at Loyola Marymount, 6 p.m.
- Dec. 11, South Dakota State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
- Dec. 14, Texas Southern at Nevada, 7 p.m.
- Dec. 21, Colorado State at Nevada, 2 p.m.
- Dec. 28, Nevada at Wyoming, 1 p.m.
- Dec. 31, Utah State at Nevada, 7 p.m.
The Vanderbilt Commodores kick off their Charleston Classic tournament on Thursday night, facing the unbeaten Nevada Wolfpack in a clash of contrasting styles.
Both teams are 4-0 and looking to make an early-season statement.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at TD Arena, and the game will air on ESPNU.
For Vanderbilt, this marks the first test of the year after an impressive start in Memorial Gymnasium.
The Commodores are coming off a 94-81 victory over the Jackson State Tigers, a game that showcased their potential from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt drained 16 3-pointers, their highest total since 2022, with five players hitting multiple shots from deep.
Tyler Nickel led the charge, going 4-for-8 from 3-point range, while freshman Tyler Tanner and AJ Hoggard chipped in with three triples apiece.
Nevada also enters with momentum, fresh off an 85-59 dismantling of the Santa Clara Broncos.
The Wolf Pack have won every game by double digits, thriving on efficiency and disciplined play. Led by Nick Davidson, who averages 18 points and 8 rebounds per game, Nevada ranks second nationally in 3-point percentage at 48.6%.
Their deliberate, systematic approach to offense has also been a key to their success. Nevada averages just 10 turnovers per game while dishing out 18 assists, a testament to their precision and execution.
Vanderbilt will counter Nevada’s slow tempo with a more aggressive style fueled by their depth.
Nine players average between 15 and 25 minutes per contest, allowing the Commodores to maintain energy and tempo throughout games.
Jason Edwards leads the team in scoring with 17.5 points per contest, while Devin McGlockton has emerged as a defensive force, ranking second in the SEC and 11th nationally in blocks. McGlockton has recorded multiple rejections in every game this season, providing a critical presence in the paint.
This matchup may hinge on who can control the 3-point line.
Nevada has been lights out from deep, with Davidson converting a remarkable 9-of-11 attempts this season. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, flashed their own shooting prowess against Jackson State after a sluggish start to the season from beyond the arc.
The stakes are high, with the winner advancing to Friday’s semifinal to face either the Seton Hall Pirates or VCU Rams.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Commodores and Wolf Pack, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown as Vanderbilt looks to have their best start to a season since 2015-16.
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