US hits jackpot after finding multi-million-ton critical mineral reserve in Nevadahttps://interestingengineering.com/energy/1-78-million-ton-tungsten-discoveryA U.S. critical minerals company has recently confirmed the nation’s largest known tungsten resource at its Railroad Valley Minerals Project in Nye County, Nevada, despite a NASA land withdrawal restricting exploration across part of the site.
In its updated resource report, 3 Proton Lithium (3PL) said that the project hosts an inferred resource of 1.78 million tons of tungsten. The company revealed that the deposit is part of a mineral system that also contains world-class resources of lithium, potash, and boron.
As per 3PL, the deposit is reportedly five times larger than the biggest tungsten resource currently listed in the US and comes at a time when the country relies heavily on imports for the strategic metal. Its in-situ value is estimated at about USD 152 billion based on current market prices.
However, exploration across approximately 17 square miles of the project remains restricted by a NASA land withdrawal. The space agency uses the area to calibrate satellite instruments. It says mining could interfere with the facility’s operations.
I'm sure Enviros are busily preparing a lawsuit to block mining.