Chief Judge Miranda Du of the federal court in Reno, Nevada, held a Thursday hearing to review the contention from ranchers, environmentalists and Indigenous groups that the Thacker Pass lithium mine would permanently scar a region in northern Nevada that is home to wildlife and key water sources.

The long-winding case comes amid rising global demand for lithium, a key component of electric vehicle batteries.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by Chris Reese)