Lithium Americas (LAC) June 2025 Thacker Pass Site Tour Presentation summary
Event summary combining transcript, slides, and related documents.
June 2025 Thacker Pass Site Tour Presentation summary
14 Sep, 2025Project overview and investment highlights
Thacker Pass Phase 1 is fully permitted, funded, and under construction, targeting completion in late 2027 with a nominal production capacity of 40,000 t/y battery-quality lithium carbonate and expansion potential to 160,000 t/y over five phases and an 85-year mine life.
The project is a joint venture: 62% owned by the company and 38% by General Motors, with GM holding offtake rights for up to 100% of Phase 1 and 38% of Phase 2 for 20 years.
Funding includes a $2.26 billion U.S. DOE loan at the Treasury rate, $945 million from GM, and $250 million from Orion Resource Partners, with additional non-binding proposals for Phase 2 financing.
Thacker Pass is the world’s largest known measured lithium resource and reserve, with a top-tier leadership team experienced in large-scale project development.
The project is strategically located in Nevada, with access to highways, rail, water rights, and a dedicated workforce hub.
Project execution and construction progress
Approximately 60% of detailed engineering is complete, with all long-lead equipment awarded and first permanent concrete placed in May 2025.
The workforce hub in Winnemucca will provide housing for up to 1,997 workers, with first occupancy expected in the second half of 2025.
Major construction milestones include early works, infrastructure, and process plant pad completion, with mechanical completion and initial production targeted for late 2027.
The project is de-risked through advanced procurement, detailed engineering, and a proven technical flowsheet validated at the Lithium Technical Development Center.
Collaboration with leading contractors such as Bechtel and Sawtooth Mining ensures expertise in design, construction, and reclamation.
Technical process and sustainability
The process uses standard, proven equipment for beneficiation, hydrometallurgy, and lithium carbonate production, with no novel technology required.
Onsite sulfuric acid production provides 40% of the plant’s power needs, with the remainder from hydroelectric sources.
Water is recycled an average of seven times, and a zero liquid discharge system eliminates process water release to the environment.
All waste is stored in a double-lined dry stack facility, reclaimed concurrently with mining to minimize environmental impact.
The project has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification and implements a comprehensive ESG and safety program, including community agreements and local hiring.
Latest events from Lithium Americas
- $2.26B DOE loan, $625M GM JV, and $250M Orion investment drive Thacker Pass progress.LAC
Q3 202419 Mar 2026 - Thacker Pass fully funded for 2H24 construction start; cash up, net loss in H1 2024.LAC
Q2 202419 Mar 2026 - Construction advances with strong financing and cash, targeting late 2027 completion.LAC
Q2 202519 Mar 2026 - Fully funded for Thacker Pass Phase 1, with $446.9M cash and major construction milestones achieved.LAC
Q1 202519 Mar 2026 - Thacker Pass construction accelerates with major funding and higher net loss in Q3 2025.LAC
Q3 202519 Mar 2026 - Strong progress at Thacker Pass with robust financing and construction on track for 2027 completion.LAC
Q4 202519 Mar 2026 - Thacker Pass is set to become the largest, lowest-cost U.S. lithium producer by 2028.LAC
Corporate presentation19 Mar 2026 - Thacker Pass, the largest U.S. lithium project, is fully funded and on track for 2027 completion.LAC
Gabelli Funds' 16th Annual Specialty Chemicals Symposium2 Dec 2025 - Thacker Pass advances as the largest U.S. lithium project, fully funded and under major construction.LAC
Corporate Presentation14 Sep 2025