Lithium Nevada is developing the Thacker Pass Project, which is the largest known lithium resource in the United States and the next large scale lithium mine.  The Thacker Pass Project is located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada.   The Project is situated at the southern end of the McDermitt Caldera, approximately 60 miles northwest of Winnemucca.   In 2018, Lithium Americas completed a pre-feasibility study (PFS) on a two phase project with the production capacity designed to reach 60,000 tpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate and a 46-year mine life.

The PFS contemplates initial Phase 1 production capacity of 30,000 tpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate commencing in 2022 and increasing in Phase 2 to 60,000 tpa in 2026.  The Project will be developed as an open-pit mining operation using conventional continuous mining equipment.   Given the soft nature of the deposit, minimal blasting and crushing is anticipated.   The ore will then be processed in a leaching circuit using sulfuric acid to liberate the lithium from the claystone.   Following the leaching process, the lithium bearing solution will be purified using crystallizers and reagents to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.

The Project has been designed to avoid environmentally sensitive and rugged terrain, which is expected to reduce permitting timelines, construction risk and costs.   The plant and tailings facilities are in the low-lying area of Thacker Pass and immediately adjacent ot the pit, which houses the Thacker Pass deposit, the largest and highest-grade know sedimentary lithium deposit in the U.S.  The flat and expansive terrain allows for a compact footprint and future potential expansion.

With the reliance of sulfuric acid, the Project will involved the construction of a conventional sulfuric acid plant at the site.   The sulfuric acid plant will convert molten sulfur into low-cost sulfuric acid reducing transportation costs and providing a low-cost source of power.   Excess acid will be sold locally to large consumers in the region.  In addition, the sulfuric acid plant contemplates a cogeneration facility, providing enough carbon-free electricity to power the entire Project with excess power being sold to the grid.