Thacker Pass lithium project : Lithium Americas begins construction

Lithium Americas, a Canada-based mining company, has begun the construction of its Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada.

The construction at the Thacker Pass lithium mine follows the receipt of notice to proceed from the Bureau of Land Management.

Being built in phases, the Thacker Pass lithium project is anticipated to produce 80,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of battery-quality lithium carbonate (Li2CO3).

Phase 1, which is expected to commence in the second half of 2026, will manufacture 40,000 tpa of Li2CO3.

Jonathan Evans — Lithium Americas President and CEO said: “Starting construction is a momentous milestone for Thacker Pass and one we have been working towards for over a decade.

“We are excited about the prospect of generating economic growth in Northern Nevada and playing a major role in the domestic lithium supply chain for electric vehicles.”

The construction includes preparation of the site, geotechnical drilling, water pipeline development, and related infrastructure, with major earthworks expected to commence in the second half of 2023.

Bechtel Corporation was awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction management contract for the construction of the Thacker Pass lithium project phase 1 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Lithium Americas has also contracted US-based Aquatech International for the magnesium sulfate and lithium carbonate chemical facilities.

Furthermore, EXP Global was contracted for the engineering, procurement, construction support, commissioning, and start-up services for the sulfuric acid facility while MECS was contracted for the technology license, engineering, and equipment for MECS Heat Recovery System.

Lithium Americas is also advancing Caucharí-Olaroz and Pastos Grandes lithium projects in Argentina.

Recently, the Canadian mining company secured an investment commitment of $650 million from General Motors towards developing the Thacker Pass lithium project.