WINNEMUCCA, NV — Bechtel announces the final investment decision from Lithium Americas to begin work on its Thacker Pass lithium mine and processing facility in northern Nevada. Thacker Pass is now the largest measured lithium reserve and resource in the world. The project is part of the U.S. efforts to build a domestic supply of lithium and other critical minerals.
Thacker Pass is owned by a joint venture between Lithium Americas and General Motors, with Lithium Americas as the manager. Thacker Pass recently obtained a $2.26 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to help fund the project.
Once construction of the initial phase is complete, Thacker Pass will produce eight times the current total U.S. output of lithium carbonate. It will take about three years to build the 642-acre plant complex with 600,000 square feet of processing, administrative, and warehouse buildings.
"It is impossible to overstate the strategic importance of Thacker Pass," said Ailie MacAdam, President of Bechtel's Mining & Metals business. "Lithium battery technology is a key driver in electrification of transportation and energy storage. Having a reliable domestic supply of lithium will be critical to America's economic competitiveness and energy security. The Thacker Pass project represents a game-changing advance in this effort."
Since receiving its original contract award in November of 2022, Bechtel has made significant progress as Lithium Americas’ engineering, procurement, and construction management contractor. Early works are complete, site grading and excavation is well underway, and long lead equipment has been ordered.
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Suppliers and vendors will be sourced locally from northern Nevada and the region, when possible. They will provide everything from large processing tanks, concrete, and centrifuges to an onsite steam turbine generator. The generator will supply carbon-free electricity to the processing plant using steam created from excess heat from the co-located sulfuric acid plant.
A university study estimated that construction and operation of Thacker Pass will generate more than $1 billion in economic activity per year.
The project will create almost 2,000 construction jobs. As part of the Thacker Pass Project Labor Agreement, Bechtel is working with North America's Building Trades Unions to establish apprenticeship programs for local workers.
