Scoop: Sinema pushes to open up mining

[Calista241]

Source: Axios

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) wants the Senate's bipartisan energy and climate talks to prioritize domestic battery production — and make it easier to mine critical minerals at home, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.

Why it matters: Sinema's engagement on mining reform reveals both the possibilities — and pitfalls — of a potential bipartisan deal. Democrats are eager for a win this critical midterm year.

Sinema's support for permitting the mining reforms puts her on the same page as Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) — as well as some Senate Republicans.

It also reveals the contours of a package that would unlock billions of dollars for electric vehicles and green energy.

But tackling permitting reform, especially on the politically sensitive issue of mining, could create a chasm in the Democratic Party.

Driving the news: Axios is told that Sinema made her case during Tuesday night’s meeting of bipartisan senators, led by Manchin.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2022/05/20/sinema-bipartisan-energy-talks-mining-reform

[comradebillyboy]

1. I know we aren't supposed to give any positive credit to

Sinema or Manchin, but this is a great idea and I hope it gets some traction in the Senate.

[jimfields33]

7. I think so too

Who could possibly be against mining to make our important electric cars and other necessities. This would be a huge win for the United States and the Democratic Party.

[NickB79]

9. Here in Minnesota, they're pushing to mine the Boundary Waters for copper and nickel

It's a pristine Northwoods ecosystem, which would be devastated if mining wastewater entered it.

Elon Musk has been pushing in support of the mines, because they'd supply Tesla with vital battery materials.

And the companies trying to get permits have a track record of catastrophic mine failures in other countries. So, there's a good possibility the BWCA would be damaged in time.

So fuck no, no mining in the BWCA.

[jimfields33]

11. So our option is continue to import the metals?

And what if we end up in some trade war with the country? We’d be in trouble.

[NickB79]

15. We must destroy the environment to save it?

When your argument becomes "we need to obliterate pristine forest so we can drive green cars", you need to stop and reevaluate.

The sad truth is this: we've gotten to the point where we CAN'T continue with business as usual, thinking we can just be subbing in EV's for gas vehicles, or solar and wind for gas and coal.

We've so overpopulated and overconsumed the resources of this planet that only drastic reductions in both population and resource use will give our children a chance in hell of having a viable biosphere. But that would run headlong into a global economic model built on infinite growth, thereby causing an economic collapse.

I'm afraid we've painted ourselves into a corner with no good ways out.

[geardaddy]

16. I'm with you.

No mining in the BWCA. I have great memories of canoe trips there.

Also, wouldn't mining affect neighboring Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario?

[elleng]

17. Ditto, heard my first loon call there!

[Lonestarblue]

14. I think we need more information.

Most mining operations destroy the land and communities around them, and at least some of that land belongs to Native Americans who have the right to preserve their land and communities. Copper mining contaminates ground water, forcing people in its area to rely on bottled water or to move. In addition, some of the mining would take place in federal parks and environmentally sensitive areas.

I would like us to rely less on other countries for some resources, but is this the best way?

[Demsrule86]

18. I think it is a good idea to too. We need to make our own stuff.

[infullview]

22. As long as they only make laws that deal with federal lands.

Maine has one of the largest and richest lithium deposits in the world but you can't mine it due to Maine's tough environmental laws.

[LuvLoogie]

2. China is buying up mining rights to rare earth elements around the globe

They might even have some here in the U.S. They are chewing up Latin America.

[TheBlackAdder]

6. Guess which country locked into 1.5 Million sq/mi of So. American & African cropland... China!

.

Yep. While we're all sitting here, chanting USA! USA! We're #1! We're #1!, China acts as a collective nation state and secures crop leases for 40-50 years into the future. Soon, America is going to be Fuuuuucked for Food!


https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=edit&forum=1002&thread=11861740



.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

3. How many abandoned mines

Still polluting our waterways?

[IronLionZion]

4. I suppose we should mine minerals from Arizona

instead of ruining African children's lives to get our batteries.

[Bayard]

5. Fine

We'll give you the mining, you give us Build Back Better.

[2naSalit]

8. 2 massive issues they are going to...

Attempt to sweep under the carpet that make this a bad idea until some big changes in mining laws and regs are changed.

Reform of the General Mining Act of 1872 - to require that corporations pay a true dollar value for that which they extract. Right now, mining in the US, especially on public land, is cheaper than dirt and bilks the nation of billions of $$ every year since 1872. Why do you think China, and other foreign entities, want to buy up all those permits?

Mining operators are big $$ and they benefit from and got rich because of the General Mining Act of 1872 which gives away our natural resources and trash the surrounding ecosystems with habitat loss and forever pollutants.


EPA/NEPA/ESA need to be required and enforced, vigorously, in ALL operations whether on public or private lands in order to ensure environmental justice is a component of permitting.

Without these considerations, mining operations will continue to pollute and rip us off with impunity as they have done for at least a century. The 1872 Mining Act is what ensured there would always be robber barons like the Kochs.

[elleng]

19. Imagine THAT, 'corporations pay a true dollar value for that which they extract.'

[2naSalit]

20. I know...

Sounds like a pipe dream but with true representation, it could happen.

[TheBlackAdder]

10. It sounds like there should be a deal made if both Sinema & Manchin want something.

[notdarkyet]

12. Payback to her big donors. Needs more research. Could be another resource grab by gougeers.

[2naSalit]

21. Probably is.

[ripcord]

13. The Salton Sea in California could produce more than 6000 tons of lithium a year

Thankfully Governor Newsom is onboard with this effort, hopefully they will include the locals in hiring for these projects since this is a very poor area.