Lithium Americas was pleased to host DOE EDF representatives at Thacker Pass in early March, a visit that reflects a strong partnership at work.
The United States needs lithium, and Thacker Pass has it. Located in Humboldt County, Nevada, Thacker Pass is the largest known measured and indicated lithium resource in North America. For a country working to build a domestic supply chain and reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals, that matters enormously.
It's why the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the primary lender for Thacker Pass.
In October 2025, Lithium Americas (LAC) received the first drawdown of $435 million from a $2.23 billion loan through the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) program, one of the largest federal investments in domestic critical mineral production in U.S. history. The loan reflects the DOE's confidence that Thacker Pass will enable a domestic lithium supply chain, provide essential economic development in northern Nevada and will operate safely and responsibly.
Representatives from the DOE's Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) (formerly the Loan Programs Office), traveled to northern Nevada to see the project firsthand. They visited LAC’s Tech Center in Reno, the Workforce Hub in Winnemucca and the Thacker Pass project site. It was a visit that reflected a strong partnership at work.
Together, we’re developing the first industrial-scale, vertically integrated, domestic battery-grade lithium carbonate processing facility in the United States. The EDF team came to see, firsthand, what its loan is building on the ground.
During their time in Reno, the DOE EDF representatives received a Tech Center presentation and tour, along with updates on permitting progress, operations readiness, and our recruiting efforts as we continue to grow the team to prepare for operations. Conversations also covered safety, environmental stewardship and security protocols, key elements of Thacker Pass’ success. The visit also included a meeting with LAC’s President & CEO Jonathan Evans.
From investment to critical minerals, in hand. Ryan Ravenelle, Ph.D., LAC Technical Director (center) shows what America’s lithium future looks like up close by demonstrating a Thacker Pass clay sample to representatives from the DOE EDF during their visit in early March.
“This visit was a reflection of a partnership built on transparency and execution. We've worked hard to keep our commitments to the DOE, to our workforce and to the communities of northern Nevada. It was important that the DOE EDF team members could see that work for themselves. Thacker Pass is progressing well, and we remain focused on delivering essential lithium for our country’s energy security,” said Evans.
From investment to action. Tom Gamarano, LAC Director of Engineering & Services; Andy Mitchell, LAC Partner Report Coordinator; Richard Gerspacher, LAC EVP Capital Projects & Operations; and Ryan Ravenelle, LAC Technical Director provided a tour of Lithium Americas Technical Development Center in Reno for representatives from the DOE EDF.
From Reno, the delegation traveled to Winnemucca, where they visited the Workforce Hub, the facility that supports the growing skilled workforce working at Thacker Pass. They also drove by the site of the future Transload Terminal, part of the broader infrastructure network taking shape in the region, as well as CarWil, the local business fabricating nearly 100 steel pipe rack modules.
The final stop was Thacker Pass: a site that looks markedly different than it did a few months ago. Construction is moving forward safely and swiftly. There is no substitute for standing on the ground at site and seeing its scale with your own eyes.
Richard Gerspacher, LAC EVP Capital Projects & Operations provides a Thacker Pass tour for representatives from the DOE EDF in early March.