Newry couple’s plans to extract lithium-rich ore remains ‘on hold’

Newry couple’s plans to extract lithium-rich ore remains ‘on hold’

Mary and Gary Freeman stand in their test pit in the woods of Newry, surrounded by spodumene crystals. Photo by Garrick Hoffman.It was more than a year ago that Maine regulators approved final changes to Maine’s 2017 mining law, capping a yearlong process that was designed to clear the way for the development of a lithium-rich deposit in the western part of the state.  So far, the overhaul has done little, if anything, to inspire Mary and Gary F…