Ioneer Ltd. said Feb. 3 that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to protect 910 acres of land near the company's proposed Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project in Nevada for the conservation of Tiehm's buckwheat will have no material impact on planned activities at the site.

The Australia Securities Exchange-listed mining company said the plan, which will conserve the rare desert wildflower found on the western margin of Rhyolite Ridge, is in line with the company's expectations and was incorporated into the development of the proposed operation.

"From the beginning, the Rhyolite Ridge operation has been designed and planned to incorporate the conservation and protection of Tiehm's buckwheat. We have always firmly understood the need to protect this species, irrespective of its listing status," ioneer Managing Director Bernard Rowe said, adding the company made investments in studies and efforts to manage the conservation of Tiehm's buckwheat.

Ioneer is continuing to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management to accommodate issues raised concerning the conservation efforts.

In September 2021, ioneer secured a $490 million investment from Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. to form a 50/50 joint venture over Rhyolite Ridge.