Jindalee Lithium’s (ASX:JLL) wholly owned subsidiary HiTech Minerals has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with nonprofit organisation Resolve to explore the creation of a voluntary stewardship area in the Oregon-Nevada caldera region.
The stewardship area is intended to improve environmental outcomes across the region while advancing domestic lithium development in the McDermitt Caldera.
HiTech and Resolve will engage with stakeholders and rightsholders in the region to identify potential areas for investment, protection, restoration, or other stewardship measures.
Voluntary stewardship measures identified through the MoU will be implemented in addition to HiTech’s existing obligations under applicable environmental laws, permitting processes, other benefit agreements, and regulatory requirements.
HiTech Minerals is also advancing its McDermitt Lithium Project in Oregon, which is valued at US$3 billion ($4.28 billion).
Jindalee CEO Ian Rodger says HiTech “recognises the ecological, cultural, and community values” of the broader region by advancing McDermitt in a way that is responsible, transparent, and constructive.
“This MoU with Resolve provides a practical framework to explore how domestic lithium development and long-term environmental stewardship objectives can be progressed together,” Rodger says.
“Importantly, the process is at an early stage, and any future stewardship area will need to be shaped through engagement with Tribal Nations and stakeholders, technical assessment, and the ongoing permitting pathway.”
Resolve CEO Stephen D’Esposito says the MoU is an “important, initial step” that will allow the two parties to pair responsible domestic lithium development with potential large-scale conservation.
“We are excited to explore the opportunity to advance goals on critical minerals, energy policy, and nature by proactively identifying landscapes for protection and restoration, as a twin aim,” D’Esposito says.
“We appreciate HiTech’s leadership, responsible approach, and interest.”
Last week, Mining.com.au reported that Jindalee Lithium completed its entitlement offer, raising $2.4 million to advance the McDermitt Lithium Project in the US.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Jindalee Lithium
