US lithium producer Lithium Americas raised its estimated mineral resource and reserves for the Thacker Pass lithium project, supporting an expansion that could boost its battery grade lithium carbonate capacity up to 160,000 metric tonnes (t)/yr.
The updated proven and probable mineral reserve estimate for the Thacker Pass project now stands at 14.3mn t of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), marking a 286pc increase since the November 2022 feasibility study, according to the latest technical report.
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, president and chief executive Jonathan Evans said.
The increase enables a phased expansion with an 85-year life of mine (LOM), targeting 160,000 t LCE/year, split into four phases of 40,000 t LCE/yr each. Construction of each of Phases 1 through 4 is expected to be spaced four years apart.
US automaker General Motors (GM) holds a 38pc ownership stake in the project. GM has secured an offtake agreement for 100pc of Phase 1 output for 20 years, and 38pc of Phase 2 output for 20 years, with a right of first offer on the remaining Phase 2 volumes.
The updated operating costs (OPEX) are $6,238/t LCE under the production scenario, optimized for the first 25 years of the 85-year LOM; and $8,039/t LCE in the base case, which covers the entire 85-year LOM.
