Lithium Americas breaks ground on lithium process testing facility in Nevada

Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC; NYSE: LAC) has marked the official opening of its lithium process testing facility located in Reno, Nev., with a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday. The company was joined by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and University of Nevada, Reno president Brian Sandoval.

The Lithium Technical Development Center was developed to demonstrate the chemical process designed for the company’s Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nev., in an integrated process testing facility. Production of lithium product samples using the Thacker Pass flowsheet commenced last month. Initial production successfully produced 5 kg of battery-quality lithium carbonate.

Additionally, the 2,800-sq.-metre facility will be used to conduct test work on new target ores and brines, and contains a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory capable of analyzing ultra-pure lithium compounds. Lithium Americas and the University of Nevada, Reno are collaborating on this commercial work.

“As we prepare to break ground on Thacker Pass, we have never lost sight of our broader responsibility in developing the largest and most advanced new source of lithium in the U.S.,” said Jonathan Evans, president and CEO of Lithium Americas in a news release, adding that the new lithium facility will “help cement Nevada’s place as a critical hub for battery development.”

“Through the technological expertise of Lithium Americas and the research capacity of University of Nevada, Reno, the Lithium Technical Development Center being commissioned today is a shining example of the productive public-private partnerships that we are fostering across the state to power economic growth and responsible use of resources,” Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said during the ceremony.

With the processing facility now fully commissioned and operational, Lithium Americas plans to proceed with early-works construction for its Nevada lithium operation this year. All state and federal permits to commence construction are currently in place. The federal appeal of the record of decision, which was received in January 2021, is ongoing, with briefings scheduled to end on Aug. 11, 2022. Oral arguments and a final decision are expected to follow shortly after.

The Thacker Pass project is currently moving towards its feasibility phase, targeting an initial production capacity to 40,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, with a second stage expansion targeting a total annual production capacity of 80,000 tonnes. Results of the feasibility study are expected in the second half of this year.