The order prohibits the BLM from authorizing or allowing any ground disturbance, construction, operation, or other activity approved in the Big Sandy Valley Lithium Exploration Project for 14 days.
“Today, our people celebrate the granting of the temporary restraining order, but understand our fight is not over,” Hualapai Chairman Duane Clarke said in a written statement. “We will continue to bring awareness to the protection of our water.”
The project allows a mining company to drill and test over 100 sites across BLM land surrounding one of the Hualapai Tribe’s cultural properties, among them Ha’Kamwe’ , a medicinal spring sacred to the tribe.
Ha’Kamwe’ is featured in tribal songs and stories about the history of the Hualapai people and their connection to the land. According to the tribe, the historic flow and spring temperature are important attributes for its traditional uses.
Out of concern for Ha’Kamwe’ , the tribe submitted multiple public comments, sent several letters of concern, and participated in tribal consultations with BLM throughout the planning phase for the Big Sandy Valley Lithium Exploration Project. Big Sandy, Inc. , a subsidiary of Australian mining company Arizona Lithium, leads the project.
Big Sandy, Inc. has been seeking approval for its project since 2019, and the Hualapai Tribe has been voicing its concerns every step of the way. However, their efforts still fell flat, as BLM gave the project the green light on June 6 .
Arizona Lithium is not a direct party in the Hualapai Tribe’s lawsuit, but it filed a motion to intervene with the case. Judge Diane Humetewa approved the motion earlier this week, allowing the company to intervene and defend against the tribe’s pursuit to stop the project.
BLM’s approval of the Big Sandy Valley Project allows the mining company to drill and test up to 131 exploration holes across 21 acres of BLM-managed public land to determine whether a full-scale lithium mining operation could be viable.
Ha’Kamwe’ is located within the Hualapai Tribe’s property known as Cholla Canyon Ranch, and the boundaries of the Big Sandy Valley project nearly surround the entire property. Only one portion of the tribe’s land does not border the drilling project.
“Like other Tribal Nations who for centuries have stewarded the lands across this country, the Hualapai people are under siege by mining interests trying to make a buck off destroying their cultural heritage,” Earthjustice attorney Laura Berglan said in a press release. “We are in court because of the federal government’s failure to protect Tribal rights.”
According to Earthjustice, which is representing the Hualapai in court, the tribe is also seeking a preliminary injunction, which would extend the pause on drilling for the duration of the legal challenge. A hearing for that motion is scheduled for Sept. 17.
Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com . Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and X .
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
