The US is advancing lithium mining projects in Nevada without Indigenous consent, Amnesty says

Amnesty International has reported that several lithium mining projects in Nevada are moving forward without obtaining the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of affected Indigenous Peoples, which it says violates international human rights standards. The organization argues that the rapid expansion of lithium extraction, driven by demand from the energy transition and AI-related industries, threatens Indigenous communities’ ancestral lands, water sources, health, culture, and environment. Amnesty International also criticizes the US government for accelerating mining approvals while weakening environmental oversight and failing to protect Indigenous rights. The group is calling on both the government and mining companies to halt further development until meaningful consent is obtained and stronger legal protections are established.

Source: adapted from Business and Human Rights Centre, May 2026.