The Cobalt Belt in Idaho, a 34-mile-long stretch of ore beneath the Salmon River Mountains, has garnered global attention from mining companies. The region boasts abundant cobalt—a vital component in electric vehicle batteries.
On Friday, October 7, 2022, Jervois Global, an Australia-based company, inaugurated the sole cobalt mine in the U.S., generating significant buzz. The mine, projected to reach capacity by 2023, plays a role in the Western mineral rush, targeting “green metals” like cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements essential for clean energy technologies.
However, this mining boom comes at a cost. As demand for cobalt surges, water—already scarce in arid regions—is diverted from agriculture to support mining operations. Wheat and barley, nurtured with substantial investment, now risk total loss due to water scarcity.
The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) issued curtailment orders affecting 6,400 groundwater rights holders, potentially impacting up to 500,000 acres of farmland. The clash between green energy mining and essential farming practices underscores the dilemma faced by the state.
Driven partly by the Inflation Reduction Act, domestic cobalt mining aims to incentivize using locally sourced battery materials. Yet, despite the new mine in Idaho, supply chain security remains incomplete. Extracted cobalt still requires processing abroad due to inadequate U.S. facilities.
Mining operations pose environmental risks, including acid mine drainage that contaminates water supplies with heavy metals. The Blackbird Mine, now a Superfund site, is a cautionary tale from Idaho’s mining history.
Amidst these challenges, a broader agenda emerges. The Biden Administration, collaborating with the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, advocates for population reduction by 2050.
And no one has connected the dots yet.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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