Green light for construction of multi-billion-dollar Nevada lithium mine

The Thacker Pass facility is a joint venture between Lithium Americas and US car maker General Motors (GM) aimed at reducing American dependence on the foreign supply of critical minerals.

Canada-based Lithium Americas and GM contributed an additional $192 million and $100 million respectively to their joint venture. The US Department of Energy last year finalized a $2.3 billion loan. On top of other funds put in place by the joint venture, the first phase of the project is now fully funded.

It will involve the construction of a 642-acre plant with 600,000 square feet of processing, administrative and warehouse buildings.

US construction company Bechtel, which is Lithium America’s engineering, procurement and construction management contractor, welcomed the move.

Appointed in November 2022 to work on the project, Bechtel said early works are complete, site grading and excavation is “well underway”, and long lead equipment has already been ordered.

Local suppliers and vendors are expected to provide everything from large processing tanks, concrete, and centrifuges to an on-site steam turbine generator.

Ailie MacAdam, president of Bechtel’s mining and metals business, said, “It is impossible to overstate the strategic importance of Thacker Pass. Lithium battery technology is a key driver in electrification of transportation and energy storage. Having a reliable domestic supply of lithium will be critical to America’s economic competitiveness and energy security. The Thacker Pass project represents a game-changing advance in this effort.”

“Thacker Pass will help enable a completely domestic supply chain for electric vehicle batteries, from mining to chemical processing to battery production. Even better, Lithium Americas is setting a standard for future projects in North America by working responsibly, sustainably, and in cooperation with government at all levels.”