Investigation urged as lithium mine threatens extinction of tiny snail in Nevada

In January 2025, a significant investigation is ongoing regarding an incident in Manhattan Beach, California, where a body washed ashore. On Sunday evening, police responded to reports of a man found dead at the 3500 block of the strand, just after 7 p.m. While the man's identity has not yet been revealed and the circumstances of his death remain unclear, officials have stated that there is no suspicion of foul play. The Hermosa Beach Police Department, along with officers from Manhattan Beach, has taken charge of the situation, urging the public to stay clear of the area while further inquiries continue. In another development, a controversial lithium mining project in Nevada is facing scrutiny from various environmental and Indigenous groups. They are pressing U.S. officials to examine the potential impacts of the mine on local groundwater levels, which they claim may be a threat to a tiny snail species found exclusively in that region. The concerns have arisen in light of evidence indicating that groundwater levels near the site have dropped significantly since 2018. The mine, operated by Lithium Americas, is situated in Thacker Pass, a location that has become central to environmental activism amid rising lithium demands for electric vehicle battery production. The lithium mine project, which encompasses a vast area of approximately 9 square miles, has raised alarms due to its possible repercussions on the delicate ecological balance necessary for the survival of the snail, which is currently not classified as endangered but is being considered for protection. Environmentalists argue that a decline in groundwater levels could lead to extinction risks for the snail. They are calling for immediate investigations to determine if the operations related to the mining project, such as exploratory drilling, are causing these detrimental groundwater changes. Additionally, Native American tribes have expressed deep concerns over the historical and cultural implications of the mine, citing that it infringes on sacred lands where historical atrocities occurred. Despite these appeals, previous legal attempts by these tribes to prompt federal agencies to recognize the area's significance have been dismissed by the courts. They fear that the ongoing mining operations, backed by significant federal funding, could not only endanger local wildlife but also erase culturally significant sites in the region. As construction activities commenced in 2023, the growing tension between industrial interests and environmental preservation exemplifies the broader conflict tied to resource extraction in vulnerable ecosystems.