Skepticism at lithium hearing

by Kenny Fallon Jr.

DISCLAIMER: While this publication is not the “Lithium and Uranium Observer”, nor do we seek to cover one viewpoint over others, lithium and uranium projects are some of the biggest news here nowadays and most locals speaking publicly are cautious or negative on these developments. We’re interested in sharing what’s happening in the public conversation, so if you feel your views aren’t being shared, then speak up! We accept emails, phone messages, physical letters, and in-person rants, and your City Council is always open to the same. So without further delay, here are some highlights from the recent public hearing held at City Hall by the Utah Division of Water Quality on Blackstone Minerals’ Class V Underground Injection Well permit:

On February 21, 2024 Dan Hall and Porter Henze came down to Green River from the Water Quality Division of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DWQ) to hold a public hearing. While there was an earlier public comment last November, the DWQ accidentally published the draft permit without the related attachments. Once this was pointed out by members of the public, the DWQ scheduled this February in-person public hearing.

At an information session before the hearing, Henze explained how lithium injection wells worked, how they might interact with aquifers, and what Blackstone Minerals (owned by Anson Resources) is trying to get a state permit for. Blackstone is seeking a permit to build a well to inject spent brine into after extracting as much economically valuable amounts of lithium from the brine as they can. This five year permit does not cover water rights or the mining process itself, which will involve pulling lithium brine from several thousand feet underground on a site near the Green River and the “Black Pyramid” uranium tailings pile. The injection well would pump depleted lithium into the Paradox geological formation at about 6,040 to 6,445 feet below the surface. Blackstone would use the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process, which is intended to use much less water than conventional evaporative lithium extraction, but DLE has not been permitted anywhere in the United States yet. Henze explained that while the aquifers that could potentially be affected (unlikely according to Henze and Hall) by the operation do not contain the City of Green River’s drinking water supply, some nearby private wells may still draw on these aquifers. Henze is Utah’s project manager, or liaison, for this project.

As the public hearing began, Hall and Henze clarified that all public comments will be publicly responded to at a later date, to ensure thorough answers. Dr. Jeremy Pearson, director of the San Rafael Energy Research Center was the first to speak. He asked if the potential interconnectivity issues had been examined, which is when drawing from an aquifer close to a river affects the river’s water quality. He was concerned that extracting the brine might affect drinking water supply either from the Green River or from nearby aquifers private wells use. UPDATE 3/18/24: In addition to discussing interconnectivity, Dr. Pearson expressed his support for the project and his belief that it will be good for Emery County at this public hearing. Chris Sheeter spoke later and reiterated Dr. Pearson’s concerns.

Kim McFarlane, a Green River resident and Planning Commissioner, spoke next on his preference for a thicker casing around the injection well, since the well would be so close to the Green River. He was also unsure that the injection depth of the spent brine was adequately removed from aquifers. Tanner McFarlane spoke next, also questioning the appropriateness of the depth of the injection wells and asked how a citizen might report any water quality issues they may observe. Henze responded that he would be a good point of contact. 

John Weisheit, the conservation director for Living Rivers and the Colorado Riverkeeper, spoke next, introducing himself as someone who’s lived in Utah for 45 years and has kept close watch on extraction projects close to water supplies. He’s partially concerned about the high risk of locating an experimental lithium well so close to the Green River, especially given the Colorado River Salinity Control Act of 1974 and the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944. Weisheit stated that Blackrock is inflating the size and qualities of the geological layers they’d like to mine. He was also concerned about the potentially high risk of dangerous well blowouts due to the high pressure the brine soil layers exist at. He mentioned that the Bureau of Reclamation has concerns about earthquakes and salt flows caused by similar types of injection projects. He also spoke for Gayna Salinas, who is concerned about the aboveground storage of lithium brine, applying pressure to brine, and the lack of cited research more recent than 1974.

Kelly Dunham, a Green River local, then asked about the repercussions if something were to go wrong with the well. She was concerned that any accidental overflow or leaks would easily overwhelm the berm protecting Brown’s Wash, which leads to the Green River. Diane Chandler spoke later on her concern about protecting Brown’s Wash, which she lives near.

Austin Carter, who introduced himself as someone who used to live in Green River but now lives up in the Book Cliffs, expressed concerns about the integrity of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). He said “I think you're [DEQ] here for an agenda. I think all the decisions have already been made. I don't think our voices make any difference. I think the state of Utah is probably making a big paycheck off of Green River as usual…I think we're a sacrificial lamb in this case.” He went on to claim that his calving operation was ruined by the DEQ, “The DEQ refuses to test. You can visually look at the water source going into the river. My animals became sick”.

After a few other comments mostly reiterating previous concerns, the live public hearing ended early, with the option for written comments until that Friday evening. A recording and transcript of the public hearing will be posted soon on the same webpage that currently has all other info on Blackstone Minerals’ permit application: https://deq.utah.gov/businesses-facilities/blackstone-minerals.