BLM Approves Expansion of Silver Peak Lithium Mine

The Bureau of Land Management has approved an expansion of the Silver Peak lithium mine in Esmeralda County, allowing operations to continue and grow across 8,058 acres, including 1,601 acres of public land.

Located in Clayton Valley near the small town of Silver Peak, the mine has been operating since the mid-1960s and remains the only lithium-producing mine in the United States. Operated by Albemarle Corporation, the site pulls lithium-rich brine from beneath the desert floor and concentrates it in large evaporation ponds. The process produces lithium carbonate, a key ingredient in rechargeable batteries.

The expansion will allow Albemarle to use updated technology designed to recover more lithium from the same amount of brine. Company estimates suggest the improvements could increase recovery rates by as much as 100 percent without expanding into new raw material sources. The project also includes construction of two transfer pump stations, additional pipelines, two weak brine ponds, and future production wells. The BLM also approved certain facilities that had already been built at the site without prior authorization.

Lithium has become increasingly important as demand grows for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronics. Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and laptops to large battery systems that store solar and wind energy.

Nevada has long been defined by mining. Silver and gold helped establish the state in the 1800s. Today, lithium is drawing global attention to the state once again. In 2021, the United States accounted for just 1 percent of the world’s lithium production, down significantly from the mid-1990s. Australia, Chile, and China currently lead global output.

Federal officials have said expanding domestic mineral production is critical to reducing reliance on foreign sources and strengthening national security. The Silver Peak expansion was included as a FAST-41 project, a federal designation intended to streamline permitting for major infrastructure projects while maintaining public review.

While other lithium projects are proposed in Nevada, including sites in Humboldt and Nye counties, Silver Peak remains the only active lithium-producing mine in the country.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, thousands of lithium mining claims have been filed across Nevada in recent years, reflecting growing interest in the state’s mineral potential.

With the latest approval in place, the Silver Peak mine is expected to continue playing a central role in the nation’s lithium supply as demand for battery materials continues to rise.

Right: To start the production process at Silver Peak, brine containing high concentrations of lithium is extracted from non-potable saltwater aquifers using a series of wells. Image and description courtesy Albemarle/Silver Peak.