Chantell Dunbar-Jones recalls memories of her hometown, Lewisville, Arkansas, which once had oil wells on every corner due to sitting atop the Smackover Oil Formation, one of the largest oilfields in the United States. However, the focus shifted towards Texas, and with wells closing in the late 1990s, the town saw residents and businesses leaving in search of better opportunities.
Excitement returned late last year when ExxonMobil announced its plans to produce lithium in the region by 2027. This move gave hope to Lewisville and its surrounding towns of an economic turnaround. The extraction of critical minerals like lithium is a growing trend in response to the green transition, with oil and coal companies eager to capitalize on the demand for resources needed for clean energy.
This shift, while potentially beneficial for the economic revitalization of these regions, also raises concerns about the environmental and social impacts of mineral extraction. The extraction of lithium from the Smackover formation, for example, involves pumping lithium-rich brine from 10,000 feet below ground, a process that requires a substantial amount of water and raises concerns about potential environmental impacts.
Similarly, in Wyoming, the coal industry is exploring the extraction of critical minerals as a new market opportunity, drawing attention to the environmental and social implications of this kind of mining. While federal funding and subsidies are driving these decisions, concerns about water consumption, pollution, and financial benefit for communities remain prominent. Furthermore, existing laws and regulations may not effectively address these concerns, raising the need for reform in revenue sharing and updated policies for the management of mining waste.
The issue of critical minerals extraction from coal and oil-rich regions emphasizes the complexities and challenges associated with economic diversification, environmental protection, and community welfare in the context of the green transition. As the clean energy industry grows, it is imperative to consider the broader impacts of mineral extraction and ensure the sustainability and equity of these efforts.
