The Biden administration has shown interest in financing lithium mining in Nevada, as the mineral is crucial for ion-lithium battery production, which is a part of its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Nevada's "Lithium Loop" encompasses almost every phase of the lithium supply chain, from mining to battery recycling.
"There’s a great opportunity within the state of Nevada as we continue to expand our mining footprint with lithium," said Hilton, head of the Nevada Mining Association. "There is a tremendous amount of support for lithium."
Recently, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen announced $21 million in federal funds for the University of Nevada, Reno's Lithium Loop Tech Hub. This hub was created under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act to invest in regions that can help meet future energy needs.
Nevada currently hosts America's only operating lithium mine in Clayton Valley but plans rapid expansion. Hilton noted recent visits to Silver Peak Mine and mentioned that Thacker Pass and Ioneer projects are underway.
The federal government supports these projects with conditional loans: over $2 billion for Thacker Pass operators Lithium Americas of Canada and $700 million for Ioneer of Australia at Rhyolite Ridge.
"I would say the federal government is really putting their money where their mouth is because they already have a conditional loan in place with Thacker Pass and already have a conditional loan in place with Rhyolite Ridge," Hilton remarked.
The funding will also develop workforce training, focusing on Native American communities near mines. "It is going to focus on workforce development and Native American engagement within the ‘Lithium Loop’ and the lithium lifecycle," Hilton explained.
Hilton emphasized opportunities at local community colleges like Great Basin College for skills training necessary for the industry.
"The mining industry has gotten high-tech," she said, describing autonomous drills operated remotely like video games.
Lithium's national security importance stems from its processing being mostly overseas. While Nevada lacks processing facilities, technology may soon enable local processing, reducing foreign reliance.
Research into lithium-processing technology involves private/public partnerships. "Well, there are many different technologies that are being developed, studied and tested in Nevada today," Hilton stated.
Hilton shared her journey from education in Nevada to leading roles in mining finance before becoming NMA president earlier this year. She describes herself as an "unconventional miner" due to her finance background but values her practical experience at mines.