Blog Article

At Lithium Americas (LAC), being a good neighbor is one of our many guiding principles. We are committed to building collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with the communities where we live and work.

At Lithium Americas (LAC), being a good neighbor is one of our many guiding principles. We are committed to building collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with the communities where we live and work.

Just as we set goals for leading the charge to a low-carbon, clean energy future, we also have many goals for supporting organizations and programs that have a positive impact in our communities, and encouraging volunteerism by our staff as a way to give back. While we’ll be shallow-mining lithium at Thacker Pass, our employees dig deep when it comes to sharing their time and talents.

“Although we are not yet in operations generating revenue, we’re actively investing in the future of this very special place and community,” said Hugh Broadhurst, General Manager. “In 2023, we supported over 20 local community organizations. As Thacker Pass grows, so will our support of, and involvement in our local community organizations. We’re building a 40+ year operation and are envisioning what our futures hold 10, 20 and 40 years from now.”

Throughout 2024, our employees have logged 335 volunteer service hours (and counting) to-date, for the following organizations:

• Communities in Schools
• Ducks Unlimited Humboldt Chapter
• Fort McDermitt 135^th Birthday Celebration
• Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce
• Humboldt Development Authority
• Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful
• Lowry High School Robotics Program
• Mining Industry Foundation for Lowry High School
• Rotary of Winnemucca
• Sierra Nevada Journeys
• St. Paul's Catholic Church St. Patrick’s Day event
• The Empower Collective
• The Tahoe Pyramid Hike and Bike
• UNR Master Class Program
• Valmy Fire Department

Throughout 2024, LAC contributed charitable donations to the following organizations:

• Boys and Girls Club - Winnemucca (STEM programming)
• Denio Community Youth Rodeo Event
• Ducks Unlimited - Humboldt Chapter (Wildlife conservation)
• Explore Your Future (UNR campus tour for LHS juniors/sophomores)
• Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe 135^th Birthday Celebration
• Fort McDermitt Paiute Shoshone Tribe (Child safety awareness event)
• Humboldt County School District Staff Appreciation Banquet (Staff recognition and awards)
• Lowry High School Senior Sober Graduation Party (Drug and alcohol-free graduation celebration)
• McDermitt Library (Summer Reading Program)
• McDermitt Ranch Hand Rodeo (Culture/sporting event)
• Mining Industry Foundation for Lowry High School (Scholarships, student academic achievement awards, STEM programming, manufacturing technology program)
• Paradise Valley PTO (Support for Paradise Valley Elementary)
• Rotary Club of Winnemucca (Age-appropriate books for babies born at Humboldt General Hospital, school supplies for kindergartners attending school in Winnemucca)

Volunteerism Spotlight

We have adopted Anderson Park in Reno through Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB), a local northern Nevada 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to creating a more sustainable and beautiful region through waste reduction, education and active community involvement. By participating in KTMB’s Adopt-A-Park program, LAC agrees to do a park cleanup every quarter.

Our employee-volunteers help care for the park by picking up litter and debris, and caring for the gardens and plant life by weeding, trimming, planting and spreading mulch. In addition to making the park cleaner and safer, the cleanups also help keep paths throughout the park ADA accessible. Thinning out overgrown vegetation enhances the accessibility and enjoyment of park spaces for visitors. Proper maintenance is not only important for aesthetics; but also improves park safety and the overall visitor experience.

Thinning green waste is also a crucial part of maintaining a defensible space – meaning that there are buffer zones to help slow or stop the spread of wildfire. By thinning out overgrown and dead or dying vegetation, the amount of potential fuel for a wildfire is greatly reduced.

At our most recent cleanup, 12 of our employees gathered to clean up nearly 5,600 pounds of green waste, which was properly disposed of.

Employee Spotlight: Maria Anderson, Community Relations Director

Maria Anderson is Lithium Americas’ Community Relations Director. Maria is responsible for managing positive relationships with community members, nonprofit organizations and fellow businesses. She plans and executes LAC’s community outreach programs, organizes events and coordinates volunteers.

Maria is a native of Elko and is proud to call Winnemucca home. She enjoys getting her morning tea at the Coffee with Friends Truck and Brew 95 in Winnemucca. She’s a board member of the Mining Industry Foundation for Lowry High School and the Humboldt Development Authority. She is a member of the Winnemucca Rotary Club, Winnemucca Literary Club, and new this year - an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce.

"We are proud to help make a difference in our communities and demonstrate our passion for a greener, cleaner future through our volunteer efforts and dedication to the causes we support,” said Maria Anderson, Community Relations Director. “I’m proud that LAC is a strong community partner, an employer of choice, a steward of the environment, and a company that our neighbors can be proud of, as well.”

Keeping the momentum going

“It’s important for us to support our community organizations. Getting involved allows us to give back and bolster the programs that are important to our employees and their neighbors. It connects us with the communities we work in and helps our employees build life-long relationships. We’re committed to being engaged and active,” said Maria.

During the new LAC Winnemucca office ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this year, Hugh Broadhurst, General Manager, made opening remarks where he stated that, “Calling northern Nevada home isn’t just talk. We’re building families and lifetime friendships here. It’s more than just business to us. It’s building futures and you can feel it by how our Winnemucca team is laying down roots.”

If you’re interested in supporting any of the above LAC-supported community organizations and nonprofits and would like more information on how to get connected and/or involved, please contact Maria Anderson, at maria.anderson@lithiumamericas.com.