The world’s largest known measured lithium Resource and Reserve supporting the development of a lithium district in northern Nevada

Thacker Pass Highlights

160,000 t/y

Total nominal design capacity over 5-phases

85 yrs

85-year life of mine

$2.23B

U.S. DOE ATVM
Loan at U.S.
Treasury Rate

GM

GM JV, largest shareholder and offtake customer

Thacker Pass

Location Humboldt County in Northern Nevada, U.S.
Resource Sedimentary lithium
Product Battery-quality lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)
Operation Shallow open-pit mine and processing facility
Stage Commenced construction March 2023
Nominal production capacity 160,000 t/y batteryquality Li2CO3 production capacity over five phases:
  • Phase 1: 40,000 t/y
  • Phase 2: 40,000 t/y
  • Phase 3: 40,000 t/y
  • Phase 4 and 5: 40,000 t/y
  • Life of mine 85 years
    Offtake Offtake agreement with General Motors for 100% of production volumes from Phase 1 for 20 years, plus 38% of Phase 2 production volumes for 20 years, and a right of first offer on the remaining Phase 2 production volumes
       LAC 2024 ESG-S Report
    Thacker Pass Map

    The most significant opportunity to create a North American lithium battery supply chain

    Thacker Pass received a Record of Decision in January 2021 from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and commenced initial construction in early 2023.

    Thacker Pass is situated at the southern end of the McDermitt Caldera, approximately 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Winnemucca, in Humboldt County, northern Nevada.

    We are committed to engaging with our broad range of stakeholders to responsibly develop Thacker Pass to become one of North America's largest sources of lithium chemicals.

    Lithium Americas has closed a $2.23 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program for financing the construction of the processing facilities at Thacker Pass.

    Lithium Technical Development Center Virtual Tour

    LAC’s Lithium Technical Development Center in Reno, Nevada is a state-of-the-art laboratory and piloting facility validating the Thacker Pass flowsheet with all recycles in one place and proving production of battery-quality lithium carbonate from Thacker Pass ore via a continuous-production process. The Tech Center has achieved ISO-9001:2015 certification.

    Building an American Battery Supply Chain

    Lithium is a critical mineral needed to produce batteries, which are vital for America's national security and economic resilience. The current EV battery supply chain has a global footprint, with battery minerals travelling an average of 50,000 miles from extraction to battery cell production (source: rmi.org).

    The U.S. currently produces less than 1% of the global supply of lithium. An overreliance on foreign critical minerals could jeopardize U.S. defense capabilities, infrastructure development and technological innovation (source: White House Executive Order).

    Thacker Pass is expected to help enable a U.S.-domestic batter supply chain to enhance economic and national security, reduce the current global carbon footprint of lithium batteries and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. 

    Extracting and processing lithium at Thacker Pass will also create economic opportunities by creating well-paying jobs during construction and operations. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs in northern Nevada, including 1,800 skilled labor contractors. Phase 1 operations is expected to create 350 full-time positions for mining and chemical processing professionals, as well as management and support staff.

    GM has a 38% interest in Thacker Pass and a 20-year offtake agreement for up to 100% of Phase 1 and up to 38% of Phase 2 production volumes.