The War Below by our guest Ernest Scheyder delves into the complexities of obtaining critical minerals needed for the green energy transition. Through Scheyder's investigative lens, the book travels the maze of obstacles faced by mining companies, highlighting how the extraction of minerals like lithium, nickel, and copper is often accompanied by technical, regulatory, environmental, and ethical challenges. Scheyder pushes us to consider the profound choices that lie ahead for ensuring a responsible energy transition.
Episode Highlights:
Regulatory Challenges: How the actions of U.S. government officials sometimes contradict each other, slowing the advancement of mining projects intended to boost green energy.
Ethical Mining: Whether disrupting sacred indigenous sites or risking environmental pollution is justifiable for extracting critical minerals.
Policy Unreformed: The urgent need to reform the U.S. Mining Law of 1872 to align with today's environmental and economic realities.
Recycling and Sustainability: Recycling’s role in achieving a sustainable mineral supply, and its challenges.
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