Project Facts

Given the skyrocketing demand for lithium, the revenue and tax opportunities to Mohave County and community of Wikieup are substantial. Mohave County would be a major beneficiary, based on property, income tax, and sales tax from production revenue. Big Sandy is committed to hiring qualified candidates from Mohave County and tribal members during development, operation, and final reclamation. The increased employment will result in increased property values and local taxes. The project will support numerous new and expanded business opportunities. In addition, energy operations generously support community benefit programs, donating significantly to local causes. This support would be felt throughout the Wikieup community. The project would also help create a “battery corridor” of high-tech manufacturing in the western U.S.

This area is considered low income with 43% of residents earning $20K per capita. Big Sandy would bring much needed jobs and spending to the area. We estimate 800 jobs during construction and 200 high paying jobs during the potentially 20+ years of operation. The talent for these jobs would come directly from the community wherever possible. The project would offer new career opportunities in a rural, economically disadvantaged community. For every job Big Sandy creates, it is estimated that three times the number of indirect support jobs would be created in the community. The project would also have local and tribal hiring and training preferences, to ensure the jobs went to local community members.

It is not expected that exploratory drilling will impact Ha’Kamwe’ (Cofer Hot Springs). We have recommended that tribal monitors oversee drilling activities, and our drilling efforts will be limited to reduce or eliminate contact or impact with groundwater. In addition, we will be studying hydrology in the area to avoid interactions with the springs.

We do not plan to use any water from the springs, nor utilize groundwater that feeds the springs for lithium operations. While exploration will be adjacent to the springs, we intend to be a good neighbor, working with the local community throughout the project to minimize disturbance to their lands and practices, while preserving their culture. We have invited the Hualapai, as well as the other 12 tribes with an interest in the area to be part of the planning and oversight of the project to ensure the Springs are unaffected and treated with the utmost care.

In the first two phases of exploration of this site in 2018 and 2019, no water was encountered during drilling. All state, federal, and tribal regulations that apply will be followed on this project. Water tables will be monitored closely during exploration to ensure that they are not impacted. If groundwater disturbances are encountered, we will immediately institute the proper controls to mitigate and be transparent with the community on the plan of action.  In addition, we invite Hualapai tribal members and officials to be part of the water monitoring process and we seek their input and guidance.

Because the project will use the latest technologies and state-of-the-art mining processes, we anticipate needing far less water than traditional lithium projects. The water that will be used will be largely recycled with less than an estimated 20% total loss through the entire process. Water sources and potential water needs are currently being evaluated. The project will not infringe on or strain existing water sources or agreements.

We reached out to all thirteen tribes with an interest in this project several months ago, long before this exploration phase began. We want to make sure tribes are engaged meaningfully from the beginning. As a tribally owned company, NTEC values the cultural, economic, social, and physical well-being of indigenous people. We want to ensure that exploratory drilling is done through partnerships with the tribes from day one. We intend to listen to their concerns and input and implement them wherever possible. Since our outreach, we have had several in-person meetings with the tribes. We look forward to continuing the conversations with each tribe so that we can ensure their needs are addressed.

The Big Sandy project will utilize state-of-art technologies that minimize impact to both land and water. Development will be shallow, disturbing as little soil as possible (estimated at less than 100 acres at any given time). We will practice continuous reclamation, meaning that while lithium is being extracted from the clay at a facility nearby, reclamation of previously developed areas will take place concurrently.

Once it starts, exploratory drilling is expected to take 18 months. After exploration, if the deposits of lithium are found to be viable, environmental and cultural baseline studies will be conducted to inform the Plan of Operations and engineering studies. Then, the BLM will conduct environmental reviews and required consultations. The BLM will likely develop an Environmental Impact Statement, a comprehensive review of potential environmental impacts, based on baseline and other available studies before final approval of a mine. This process could take a minimum of five years and we plan to engage the community throughout this entire process.