Great Basin Resource Watch

Mining Justice for the Energy Transition work focuses on mineral extraction connected t oenergy transition technologies and the need to consider the full impact of their development while using this moment of new mineral extraction to usher in better mining practices. Despite the end use of these metals its vital to ensure that mine permitting is as protective as possible so that this green revolution does not become an ecological disaster in yet another era of irresponsibleextraction that would perpetuate the colonial process that has brought the world to this place.

Protection of Water and Sensitive Areas: seeks to prevent loss of environmentally and culturally sensitive areas from mining with water as a keystone resource. The mining industry pumps vast amounts of water affecting streams, springs, and seeps for many miles around the mine site. Often the water system is not expected to recover for hundreds of years. Many streams and springs are anticipated to dry up and the mitigation approach is to supply replacement water from another source and pipe the water to the spring location; an inadequate solution on multiple levels. The riparian areas are not preserved by this replacement scheme and most importantly the sources of the springs are not protected. It is the sources that need to be preserved and ultimately hold the cultural value. In addition, long term water pollution is also a consequence of many mining operations.