American Battery Technology Company Completes Essential NEPA Baseline Studies for the Tonopah Flats Lithium Project
Reno, Nevada, Oct. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Battery Technology Company (NASDAQ: ABAT), an integrated entity focused on critical battery materials, has successfully completed all mandated baseline studies.
This achievement culminates in the submission of pertinent reports to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), marking a pivotal moment in the advancement of its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project (TFLP), recognized as one of the largest critical mineral projects of its kind in the country.
Located within the jurisdiction of the BLM, the TFLP site necessitates adherence to a comprehensive federal permitting framework, in alignment with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
In March 2023, ABTC convened a Baseline Needs Assessment meeting, attended by over 40 regulatory bodies and stakeholders across federal, state, local, and tribal sectors.
The purpose was to scrutinize the overarching project plans and outline the requisite environmental evaluations and baseline resource inventories essential for securing permits and facilitating construction.
This assessment highlighted the necessity of 21 distinct studies categorized under 14 domains to fulfill the NEPA evaluation protocol. The fruition of these extensive baseline studies represents a culmination of over two years of focused effort and collaboration with numerous expert third-party organizations.
The scope of these inquiries encompasses a myriad of vital areas such as biological, ecological, hydrological, and socio-economic factors. Collectively, these studies provide foundational insights for anticipating potential impacts, which are crucial for subsequent NEPA analyses.
With the completion of these studies and the subsequent report submissions, ABTC has reached a critical juncture in the formal NEPA review phase. This represents a key milestone in the permitting trajectory for the TFLP.
ABTC’s CEO, Ryan Melsert, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments:
I take immense pride in the collective dedication of the ABTC team and our consultants, who successfully brought these 21 studies to fruition.
This endeavor demanded rigorous planning and meticulous execution to encapsulate the full breadth of environmental, cultural, and technical factors pertaining to this significant project.
The completion of these assessments is emblematic of our commitment to the responsible stewardship of critical mineral resources in response to President Trump’s recent directive for enhancing American mineral production.
In June 2025, the TFLP garnered recognition by the FAST-41 Permitting Council and the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC) as a Transparency Priority Project, in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at bolstering American mineral production. The project has since been elevated to a Covered Priority Project.
Alongside the baseline studies, ABTC has submitted a comprehensive Mine Plan of Operations (MPO) for the TFLP, which is presently under BLM review.
The organization is preparing for subsequent phases of development, including the impending release of a Pre-Feasibility Study that will delineate detailed analyses of both the technical and economic viability of the TFLP, thereby reinforcing its potential role as a pivotal contributor to domestic critical mineral lithium outputs.
Throughout the evolution of this project, ABTC remains steadfastly committed to forging robust partnerships with local communities, tribal entities, and stakeholders.
Outreach initiatives are poised to deliver project updates, solicit stakeholder feedback, and ensure inclusive representation of diverse perspectives in the permitting and development phases.
American Battery Technology Company Completes All Required NEPA Baseline Studies for its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project, One of the Largest Critical Mineral Lithium Projects in the US, source
Source link: Batteriesnews.com.
