Australia might be the largest lithium producer globally, producing 52 per cent of the world’s total, but Lithium Americas has laid claim to the world’s largest lithium resource.
Lithium Americas is currently advancing its Thacker Pass asset in Nevada, US, to production to meet the growing lithium demand in North America.
In a major milestone for Thacker Pass, the mineral reserve estimate has increased to 14.3 million tonnes (Mt) of lithium carbonate equivalent at an average grade of 2540 parts per million (ppm).
This represents a 286 per cent jump from Lithium Americas’ November 2022 feasibility study and paves the way for an expansion of up to five phases with an 85-year mine life.
Thacker Pass’ measured and indicated mineral resource estimate now sits at 44.5Mt lithium carbonate equivalent at an average grade of 2230ppm, representing a 177 per cent increase from the November 2022 feasibility study.
Lithium Americas president and chief executive officer Jonathan Evans said Thacker Pass’ new mineral reserve and mineral reserve estimate “demonstrates the multigenerational opportunity for transformational growth the project creates”.
“Thacker Pass is now the largest measured lithium reserve and resource in the world and has the potential to become an unmatched district, generating American jobs and helping the US regain independence of its energy supply,” Evans said.
“We are committed to safely and sustainably developing Thacker Pass while engaging with our stakeholders to increase domestic production of critical minerals.”
Thacker Pass’ first phase is expected to reach a final investment decision by early 2025 and completion in late 2027.
Phase one is projected to create nearly 2000 jobs during the construction stage, approximately 350 full-time jobs once operational and an average of about 1100 full-time employees over Thacker Pass’ total mine life.
The project’s first four phases will target 40,000 tonnes (t) of battery-grade lithium carbonate per annum, with the overall expansion plan targeting 160,000t per annum.
Thacker Pass is indirectly owned by Lithium Nevada Ventures, a 62:38 joint venture between Lithium Americas and General Motors, a motor vehicle manufacturer.
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