Lithium Americas Reportedly Close To Receiving US$1 Billion From U.S. DOE For Thacker Pass

Last week, several media sources reported that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) may lend more than US$1 billion to Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) to support construction at the company’s Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada. The DOE and Lithium Americas are apparently negotiating the terms of the loan. The outlay would be the largest loan ever awarded to a mining company through the DOE’s Loan Programs Office. If the reports are true, the DOE loan would fund nearly half of Thacker Pass’ US$2.27 billion budget.

Thacker Pass could become North America’s largest source of lithium, a key component in electric vehicle batteries. Indeed, some geologists (including one who works for Lithium Americas) recently published a peer-reviewed scientific paper which theorizes the Thacker Pass property may be located in the most lithium-rich area of the biggest lithium deposit on earth, a volcanic crater called the McDermitt Caldera.

In February 2023, Lithium Americas received a Letter of Substantial Completion from the DOE’s Loan Program Office regarding its application to support the financing of Thacker Pass. More specifically, the company applied for financing assistance from the DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program. At that time, Lithium Americas said an ATVM loan could provide up to 75% of Thacker Pass’ total capital costs.

It appears that the Loan Program Office’s loan to Lithium Americas would be the second largest it has issued. Earlier this year, the DOE agreed to loan US$2 billion to Redwood Materials, a privately owned EV battery manufacturer. In 2022, the DOE provided US$107 million in funding to a private Louisiana-based graphite supplier named Syrah Technologies, LLC.

Lithium Americas expects to incur US$145 million of Thacker Pass construction costs in the second half of 2023.

Separately, Lithium Americas announced last week that it would separate into two companies on October 3.  Each share of Lithium Americas will be exchanged for one share of Lithium Americas (Argentina), and one share in the new Lithium Americas (essentially the Thacker Pass project).

Lithium Americas Corp. last traded at $23.08 on the TSX Exchange.


Information for this briefing was found via Edgar, Bloomberg, and the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

2026 Could Be Gold’s Biggest Year Yet!? | Ryan King – Equinox Gold

Gold Is Screaming Higher While Currencies Burn | Simon Ridgway – Rackla Metals

We Have the Highest-Grade Antimony Deposit in North America!? | Jim Atkinson -Antimony Resources

Recommended

Canadian Copper Secures $8 Million Lead Order From Ocean Partners As Part Of Larger Funding Round

Northern Superior Expands Philibert With 350 Metre Step Out Testing 1.10 g/t Gold Over 25.5 Metres

Related News

Lithium Americas Approves Deal To Split, Bolstering China’s Lobbying Power

Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC) announced on Monday that the company’s board has unanimously approved the deal...

Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 10:17:26 AM

Lithium Americas: Nevada Court Upholds Permit For Thacker Pass Mine

A Nevada district court judge affirmed on Monday the federal government’s decision to license the...

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 10:36:58 AM

Lithium Americas’ Nevada Project Problems Highlights Value of Flagship Argentina Project

As an illustration of the difficulty of building sufficient lithium production to satisfy battery needs...

Sunday, June 20, 2021, 09:00:00 AM

Lithium Americas Sees 10% Equity Holder Continually Drop Stake In Firm

Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC) has seen continuous selling over the last month as one of...

Sunday, November 29, 2020, 03:40:00 PM

Lithium Americas: Production Start At Argentina Lithium Brine Project Delayed Until Mid-2022

In early March, Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC) reported its fourth quarter and full year 2020...

Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 04:10:00 PM