Develops Thacker Pass in Nevada for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate for the North American supply chain
Lithium Americas Corp.
Vancouver, Canada · Reno, USA · Orovada, USA · Winnemucca, USANew on Amplifa
About Lithium Americas
Lithium Americas Corp. is a company listed on the TSX and NYSE (TSX/NYSE: LAC), developing the Thacker Pass Lithium project in Humboldt County, Northern Nevada (USA). Thacker Pass hosts the world's largest measured lithium reserve (Measured & Indicated) and is planned to reach a nominal total capacity of 160,000 t/year of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) over five phases. Phase 1, with a nominal capacity of 40,000 t/year, is under construction (construction started March 2023); mechanical completion is targeted for the end of 2027, with ramp-up to commercial production by 2028. The operation includes a shallow open-pit mine and a processing plant for sedimentary lithium ore. The Lithium Technical Development Center in Reno, a laboratory and piloting facility, validates the Flowsheet and has demonstrated the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate in a continuous production process; it is certified according to ISO 9001:2015. General Motors is a Joint Venture partner with a 38% stake in Thacker Pass and a long-term offtake customer. Phase 1 is expected to create over 2,000 jobs in construction and around 350 full-time jobs in operation.
- Site
- V6C 2X8 Vancouver, BC
- Processes
- Lithium Mining (Open-Pit Mine, Shallow Open-Pit Mine), Chemical Processing into Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3, battery grade), Continuous Production Process (Piloting at Lithium Technical Development Center), Validation of the Thacker Pass Flowsheet and pilot production of battery-grade lithium carbonate, Community and Indigenous Engagement, Supply of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)
- Materials
- Lithium Carbonate, Sedimentary Lithium (Ore), Lithium Carbonate (battery grade)
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015
- Industries
- Lithium Mining/Processing, Battery/EV Supply Chain, Mining, Critical Minerals
- 01
Mining of sedimentary lithium ore in a shallow open-pit mine
- 02
Processing of ore in the Processing Facility
- 03
Chemical conversion to battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)
- 04
Flowsheet validation and piloting at Lithium Technical Development
- 05
Delivery to offtake customers (including General Motors)
Products and Processes
Lithium Carbonate (battery grade)
End product from Thacker Pass for the North American battery and e-mobility supply chain.
Sedimentary Lithium (Ore)
Raw material from the shallow open-pit mine in the McDermitt Caldera region, processed into lithium carbonate.
Sites
Vancouver
CACorporate Headquarters (3260 – 666 Burrard St)
Reno
USOffice and Lithium Technical Development Center (Laboratory and Piloting Facility, 522 S Rock Blvd., Suite 200)
- Materials
- Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3), Thacker-Pass Ore
- Laboratory and Piloting Facility (Continuous Production Process)
Orovada
USThacker Pass Project: Mine and Processing Plant, Humboldt County, Northern Nevada
- Materials
- Sedimentary Lithium (Ore), Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3)
- Processing Facility (Phase 1 Processing Plant)
- Heavy Equipment (Dozers, Haul Trucks, Water Trucks)
Winnemucca
USOffice (20 W First St)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium Mining (Open-Pit Mine, Shallow Open-Pit Mine)Smelting | – | – | – | – | Sedimentary Lithium (Thacker Pass Ore) |
| Chemical Processing into Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3, battery grade)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3) |
| Continuous Production Process (Piloting at Lithium Technical Development Center)Testing | – | – | – | – | Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3) |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Plant | – | 1 | – | – | Reno, Nevada (Lithium Technical Development Center, 522 S Rock Blvd.) |
| Processing Facility (Phase 1 Processing Plant) | – | – | – | – | Thacker Pass, Orovada, NV |
| Heavy Equipment (Dozers, Haul Trucks, Water Trucks) | – | – | – | – | Thacker Pass, Orovada, NV |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
The Lithium Technical Development Center in Reno is certified according to ISO 9001:2015 and validates the Thacker Pass Flowsheet, including all recycling streams, as well as the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate in a continuous production process. The mine's safety performance is regularly recognized, including with the Nevada Mining Association Operator Safety Award 2025 (1st Place Non-Metals) and the Mine Operator Safety Award 2026.
| Evidence | Vancouver | Reno | Orovada | Winnemucca |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 |
History
- 2021
Thacker Pass received the Record of Decision from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in January 2021.
- 2023
Phase 1 construction started in March 2023; Separation of Lithium Americas Corp. (Board and Management take over) in October 2023.
- 2024
Largest contingent loan guarantee ever awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy for a strategic materials project (ATVM Loan of 2.23 billion USD); Awards: ZETA Supply Chain Groundbreaker Award, NCET Lithium Loop Award, Mackay School Corporate Appreciation Award, AEMA Platinum Award for
- 2025
Fastmarkets Voltas Award 'Best New Project' for Thacker Pass; Nevada Mining Association 2025 Operator Safety Award (1st Place Non-Metals); Luke Colton joins as EVP & CFO in January 2025.
- 2026
Nevada Mining Association Mine Operator Safety Award (July 2026, over 3 million working hours without Lost Time Incident); Jonathan Evans recognized as 'Leader of the Year' (Fastmarkets Voltas Awards); Richard Gerspacher EVP Capital Projects & Operations starting 1.1.2026; Financing over 175