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     Mining - umm ever think about it?  In late March the President issued orders to the Dept. of Defense which mandates that the domestic production of lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and magnesium are essential for our national security.  These elements are all used in the production of batteries.     Golly, this all sounds great!  It supports the push away from fossil fuels right?  It supports "made in America" right?  It will be great for the climate right?  Quick question, what are the effects on the environment of increased mining?  I am talking air quality, water quality and the land itself.     Again, the mining will be in the rural areas and they will be the ones that suffer the long term damage.  Before we are forced headlong into the "green new deal" let's have a honest rendering of the true costs. This is not a zero sum game.  We need honest facts in order to make informed decisions.