(All amounts in US$ unless otherwise
indicated)
Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC)
(“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) announced an
increased mineral resource and mineral reserve estimate for the
Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada
(“Thacker Pass” or the “Project”), including the
release of an independent National Instrument 43-101 (“NI
43-101”) technical report (“Technical Report”) entitled
“NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Thacker Pass Project Humboldt
County, Nevada, USA,” and an independent S-K 1300 technical report
(the “S-K 1300 Technical Report”) entitled “S-K 1300
Technical Report on the Thacker Pass Project Humboldt County,
Nevada, USA,” both dated effective December 31, 2024. The Project
is indirectly owned by Lithium Nevada Ventures LLC (“LN”).
LN is a joint venture between the Company, which has a 62%
ownership, and General Motors Holdings LLC (“GM”), which has
a 38% ownership.
Jonathan Evans, President and CEO, commented, “We are excited to
release the results of our Thacker Pass Technical Report that
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 U.S. regain independence of its energy supply. We
are committed to safely and sustainably developing Thacker Pass
while engaging with our stakeholders to increase domestic
production of critical minerals.”
HIGHLIGHTS
- Proven and Probable (“P&P”) mineral reserve estimate
of 14.3 million tonnes (“Mt”) lithium carbonate equivalent
(“LCE”) at an average grade of 2,540 parts per million
(“ppm”) lithium (“Li”), an increase of 286% since the
November 2022 Feasibility Study1; supports an expansion of up to
five phases with an 85-year mine life.
- Measured and Indicated (“M&I”) mineral resource
estimate of 44.5 Mt LCE at an average grade of 2,230 ppm Li; an
increase of 177% since the November 2022 Feasibility Study.
- Expansion plan targeting 160,000 tonnes per year (“t/y”)
of battery-quality lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”) production
capacity in four phases of 40,000 t/y each, respectively (“Phase
1,” “Phase 2,” “Phase 3” and “Phase 4”),
with a sulfuric acid plant without an additional Li2CO3 production
circuit as Phases 1-4 are expected to have excess capacity
(“Phase 5”). Phase 4 expansion incorporates a direct rail
line from Winnemucca to Thacker Pass.
- Project economics for an 85-year life of mine (“LOM”)
(“Base Case”) and an optimized production scenario for years
1-25 of the 85-year LOM (“Years 1-25” or “Production
Scenario”). Both the Base Case and Production Scenario use a
price assumption of $24,000 per tonne of Li2CO3.
- Average annual EBITDA2 for the Production Scenario is estimated
at $2.2 billion per year and $2.1 billion per year for the Base
Case.
- Production Scenario after-tax net present value (“NPV”)
of $5.9 billion at 8% discount and 19.6% after-tax internal rate of
return (“IRR”), and Base Case after-tax NPV of $8.7 billion
at 8% discount and 20.0% after-tax IRR.
- Production Scenario operating costs (“OPEX”) of $6,238
per tonne lithium carbonate produced, and Base Case OPEX of $8,039
per tonne lithium carbonate produced.
- Capital cost (“CAPEX”) estimates for Phase 1 of $2.93
billion (as previously disclosed in March 2024), Phase 2 of $2.33
billion, Phase 3 of $2.74 billion, Phase 4 and 5 together of $4.32
billion, based on cost estimates from Q2 2024 and include a 15%
contingency.
- Construction of each of Phases 1 through 4 is expected to be
spaced four years apart, with Phase 5 beginning at the same time as
Phase 4.
- Phase 1 is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs during
construction and approximately 350 full-time jobs during
operations. Over the LOM, an average of approximately 1,100
full-time employees are expected to support mining and processing
operations. Additional jobs are expected to be created in the local
communities through ancillary and support services, such as
transportation, maintenance and supplies.
- Phase 1 is targeted for completion in late 2027. The Company is
targeting to announce the final investment decision (“FID”)
for Phase 1 in early 2025. Bechtel is the engineering, procurement
and construction management (“EPCM”) contractor for the
construction of Phase 1.
1 For more details, refer to the Company’s Feasibility Study
entitled “Feasibility Study National Instrument 43-101 Technical
Report for the Thacker Pass Project Humboldt County, Nevada, USA”,
dated effective November 2, 2022, available on SEDAR+. 2 Earnings
before income, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(“EBITDA”) is a non-GAAP financial measure, refer to
Non-GAAP Measures for more information.
PROJECT IMPROVEMENTS
The Thacker Pass Technical Report results reflect continuous
improvement initiatives, including optimizing the mine plan and
incorporating results of test work completed at the Company’s
Lithium Technical Development Center.
The Thacker Pass deposit allows the mine to have multiple grades
of ore exposed at any given time, enabling flexibility to deliver
optimum ore blends as needed to maximize economics. The Company has
developed an optimized mine plan which allows an approximate 25%
increase in recovery for the first 12 years of production,
providing a higher economic return during the years of capital
investment for building Phases 2 through 5.
Process optimizations and engineering development updates
include:
- Beneficiation circuit: the number of decanter centrifuges
reduced from six to four.
- Counter-current Decantation (“CCD”) thickeners: smaller
diameter.
- Filter presses: reduced from eight membrane type to four
recessed chamber type.
- Brine evaporators: reduced from three to two.
- Sulfuric acid plant for Phase 1 through 4: size of plant
reduced from the previous 3,000 tonnes per day (“t/d”)
sulfuric acid to 2,250 t/d sulfuric acid, reducing the
transportation and consumption of liquid sulfur.
- Final polishing step where low levels of calcium and magnesium
are removed: improved reaction parameters in the calcium
precipitation circuit reduce loading on ion exchange.
- Reagents: reduced soda ash consumption in the lithium carbonate
circuit.
To maximize the life of mine, ore control parameters would be
lowered after the construction of Phase 1 through 5 is completed.
Phase 5 would consist of a 3,000 t/d sulfuric acid plant and a
brine plant to supplement feed to the processing plants of Phases 1
through 4, to maintain their nominal production capacity at 40,000
t/y.
Estimated OPEX for Years 1-25 is approximately $500 per tonne
lower (~7%), than the November 2022 Feasibility Study. Lower raw
material (reagent) consumption and costs, decreased maintenance on
less equipment and reduced tailings placement (due to less tailings
produced) were offset by higher mining costs to achieve the
optimized mine plan, power utility costs based on final selection
of power provider and general and administrative costs for
insurance.
TECHNICAL REPORT SUMMARY
December 2024 Thacker Pass Technical
Report Results (US$)
Production Scenario (Years
1-25)
Base Case (85-year
LOM)
Mineral resource (Measured &
Indicated)
44.5 Mt LCE at a grade of 2,230
ppm Li
Mineral reserves (Proven &
Probable)
14.3 Mt LCE at a grade of 2,540
ppm Li
Ore reserve life
85 years
Operational life
25 years
85 years
Nominal production capacity
160,000 t/y Li2CO3 (Phases 1-4 at
40,000 t/y Li2CO3 each, with additional Phase 5 producing brine to
feed to Phases 1-4 lithium processing plants)
Mining method
Continuous open-pit mining
Processing method
Sulfuric acid leaching
Metallurgical Recovery
82.1%
80.4%
Initial capital costs – Phase 1
$2.93 billion
Initial capital costs – Phase 2
$2.33 billion
Initial capital costs – Phase 3
$2.75 billion
Initial capital costs – Phase 4 and 5
(includes rail)
$4.32 billion
Sustaining capital costs
$1.55 billion
$6.92 billion
Operating Costs (average) (per tonne
LCE)
$6,238
$8,039
Lithium carbonate price assumption (per
tonne)
$24,000
Average Annual EBITDA (per year)
$2.2 billion
$2.1 billion
After-tax NPV @ 8% Discount Rate
$5.9 billion
$8.7 billion
After-tax IRR
19.6%
20.0%
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE
Construction of Thacker Pass to reach total nominal design
capacity of 160,000 t/y of Li2CO3 is planned over five phases. Each
of Phases 1 through 4 are expected to be spaced 4 years apart with
Phase 5 beginning at the same time as Phase 4. Construction of
Phases 2 through 5 is expected to occur over a 13-year period, from
the start of Phase 1 first production. Phase 4 expansion includes a
direct rail line to Thacker Pass for the transportation of raw
materials and finished product. The lithium carbonate production
plants for Phase 1 through 4 is expected to have excess capacity
that would take brine feed from Phase 5 to maintain their nominal
production capacity of 40,000 t/y. Additional required permitting
for Phases 2 through 5 will be initiated following the completion
of Phase 1 construction.
Thacker Pass Expansion by
Phase
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
Phase 5
Sulfuric Acid Plant Capacity
(t/d)
2,250
2,250
2,250
2,250
3,000
Nominal Design LCE Production
(t/y)
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
-
Beneficiation circuit
X
X
X
X
X
Leaching, Neutralization &
CCD circuits
X
X
X
X
X
Magnesium and calcium removal
circuit
X
X
X
X
Partial
Lithium carbonate production
plant
X
X
X
X
-
Construction of Phase 1 commenced in early 2023 and the Company
is targeting to announce FID in early 2025. Bechtel is the EPCM
contractor for the construction of Phase 1. In Q4 2024, the Company
provided Bechtel and other major contractors with limited full
notice to proceed to de-risk the construction schedule and continue
to target completion in late 2027.
Current work at Thacker Pass for Phase 1 includes excavation of
the process plant (now over 75% complete), advancing detailed
engineering (now over 50% complete) and awarding of procurement
packages. At the Workforce Hub, the Company’s full-service housing
facility in Winnemucca for construction workers, the site’s utility
infrastructure is being built out.
CAPITAL COST ESTIMATE
Total estimated CAPEX for the development of Phases 1 through 5
for total nominal production of 160,000 t/y of lithium carbonate is
$12.4 billion. CAPEX estimates are based on Q2 2024 pricing and
include a 15% contingency. CAPEX estimates include early works,
mine development, mining, the process plant, the off-site transload
facility, commissioning and all associated infrastructure.
CAPEX for Phase 2, 3, 4 and 5 is derived from Phase 1 estimates.
CAPEX for Phases 2 and 3 benefits from established mine and plant
infrastructure from Phase 1. CAPEX for Phases 4 and 5 include the
addition of one processing plant, two sulfuric acid plants and a
direct rail line to Thacker Pass.
Thacker Pass CAPEX Estimates ($US
millions)
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4 & 5
Additional LOM
Mine
$88
-
-
-
-
Process & Sulfuric Acid
Plants
$2,842
$2,326
$2,754
$4,074
-
Infrastructure Relocation
-
$2
-
-
$114
Rail expansion
-
-
-
$241
-
Total Development Capital
$2,930
$2,328
$2,754
$4,315
$114
Sustaining capital costs for Years 1 through 25 total $1.55
billion and for LOM total $6.92 billion. Sustaining capital costs
include replacement costs for mining equipment, process plant
equipment, expansions of storage facilities and infrastructure and
capital repayment to third parties for the off-site transload
terminal, mining and limestone quarry. Capital costs for Phases 2
through 5 are not included in sustaining capital costs.
Sustaining Capital Cost Estimate
(US$ millions)
Production Scenario (Years
1-25)
Base Case (85-year
LOM)
Mine including equipment capital
$636
$3,445
Mobile equipment
$28
$93
Process plants and infrastructure
$626
$3,125
Third-party capital repayment
$259
$259
Total sustaining capital cost
$1,549
$6,921
OPERATING COST ESTIMATE
OPEX include raw materials, labor, utilities, maintenance
materials, supplies and outside services and tailings. Reagents for
the sulfuric acid plant and process plant account for approximately
50% of total operating costs for LOM or 56% for Years 1-25. Primary
reagents include liquid sulfur, soda ash, quicklime, caustic soda,
flocculant and limestone.
Summary of Thacker Pass OPEX
(US$)
Production Scenario
(Years 1-25)
Base Case (85-year
LOM)
$ per tonne
Li2CO3
% of Total
$ per tonne
Li2CO3
% of Total
Mine
$904
14%
$1,767
22%
Lithium Processing & Sulfuric Acid
Plants
$5,013
80%
$5,946
74%
General & Administrative
$321
5%
$326
4%
Total Operating Costs
6,238
100%
$8,039
100%
MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE
Thacker Pass Mineral Resource Estimate as of December 31,
2024
Category
In Situ Dry Tonnage
(Mt)
Average Li (ppm)
Lithium Carbonate Equivalent
(Mt)
Measured
560.8
2,680
8.0
Indicated
3,225.2
2,150
36.5
Total Measured & Indicated
3,786.0
2,230
44.5
Inferred
1,981.5
2,070
21.6
Notes for the December 31, 2024 Mineral Resource:
- The independent Qualified Person who supervised the preparation
of and approved disclosure for the estimate is Benson Chow, P.G.,
SME-RM.
- Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
- The Mineral Resource model has been generated using Imperial
units. Metric tonnages shown in table are conversions from the
Imperial Block Model.
- Mineral Resources are inclusive of 1,056.7 million metric
tonnes (Mt) of Mineral Reserves
- Mineral Resources are reported using an economic break-even
formula: “Operating Cost per Resource Short Ton”/“Price per
Recovered Short Ton Lithium” * 10^6 = ppm Li Cutoff. “Operating
Cost per Resource Short Ton” = US$86.76, “Price per Recovered Short
Ton Lithium” is estimated: “Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)
Price” * 5.3228 * (1 – “Royalties”) * “Metallurgical Recovery”.
Variables are “LCE Price” = US$26,308/Short Ton ($29,000/tonne)
Li2CO3, “GRR” = 1.75% and “Metallurgical Recovery” = 73.5%.
- Presented at a cutoff grade of 858 ppm Li. and a maximum ash
content of 85%.
- A mineral resource constraining pit shell has been derived from
performing a pit optimization estimation using Vulcan software and
the same economic inputs as what was used to calculate the cutoff
grade.
- The conversion factor for lithium to LCE is 5.3228.
- Applied density for the mineralization is weighted in the block
model based on clay and ash percentages in each block and the
average density for each lithology (Section 14.1.6.4 of the
Technical Report).
- Measured Mineral Resources are in blocks estimated using at
least 3 drill holes and 10 samples where the closest sample during
estimation is less than or equal to 900 ft. Indicated Mineral
Resources are in blocks estimated using at least 2 drill holes and
10 samples where the closest sample during estimation is less than
or equal to 1,500 ft. Inferred Mineral Resources are in blocks
estimated using at least 2 drill holes and 9 samples where the
closest sample during estimation is less than or equal to 2,500
ft.
- Tonnages and grades have been rounded to accuracy levels deemed
appropriate by the QP. Summation errors due to rounding may
exist.
- Mineral Resources are presented on a 100% basis. LN indirectly
owns the Project. Lithium Americas owns a 62% interest in LN and GM
owns the remaining 38%.
MINERAL RESERVE ESTIMATE
Thacker Pass Mineral Reserve Estimate as of December 31,
2024
Category
Run-of-Mine (ROM) Dry
Tonnage (Mt)
Average Li
(ppm)
Lithium Carbonate Equivalent
(Mt)
Proven
269.5
3,180
4.5
Probable
787.1
2,320
9.7
Total Proven and Probable
1,056.7
2,540
14.3
Notes for the December 31, 2024 Mineral Reserve:
- The independent Qualified Person for the Mineral Reserves
Estimate has been prepared by Kevin Bahe, P.E.
- Mineral Reserves have been converted from measured and
indicated Mineral Resources within the feasibility study and have
demonstrated economic viability.
- Reserves presented in an optimized pit at an 85% maximum ash
content, cutoff grade of 858 ppm Li, and an average cut-off factor
of 13.3 kg of LCE recovered per tonne of leach ore tonne (ranged
from 7.5-26 kg of LCE recovered per tonne of leach ore tonne).
- A sales price of $29,000 US$/tonne of Li2CO3 was utilized in
the pit optimization resulting in the generation of the reserve pit
shell in 2024. An overall slope of 27 degrees was applied. For
bedrock material pit slope was set at 52 degrees. Mining and
processing costs of $95.40 per tonne of ROM feed, a processing
recovery factor based on the block model, and a GRR cost of 1.75%
were additional inputs into the pit optimization.
- A LOM plan was developed based on equipment selection,
equipment rates, labor rates, and plant feed and reagent
parameters. All Mineral Reserves are within the LOM plan. The LOM
plan is the basis for the economic assessment within the Technical
Report, which is used to show the economic viability of the Mineral
Reserves.
- Applied density for the ore is varied by clay type (Table 14-13
of the Technical Report).
- Lithium Carbonate Equivalent is based on in-situ LCE tonnes
with a 95% mine recovery factor.
- Tonnages and grades have been rounded to accuracy levels deemed
appropriate by the QP. Summation errors due to rounding may
exist.
- The reference point at which the Mineral Reserves are defined
is at the point where the ore is delivered to the run-of-mine
feeder.
- Mineral Reserves are presented on a 100% basis. LN indirectly
owns the Project. Lithium Americas owns a 62% interest in LN and GM
owns the remaining 38%.
Please refer to the Technical Report for full details on the
geology, mining, processing and infrastructure of Thacker Pass.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
Mineral Resources
Sample names, certificate identifications and run
identifications were cross referenced with the laboratory
certificates and sample assay datasheet for spot checking and
verification of data. No data anomalies were discovered during this
check.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control (“QA/QC”) methodology
utilized by Lithium Americas and results of these checks were
discussed between Lithium Americas’ geologists and the Mineral
Resources qualified person, as defined under NI 43-101
(“QP”), who has reviewed and verified the Mineral Resource
estimate (the “Mineral Resources QP”).
Geologic logs, Access databases and Excel spreadsheets were
provided to the Mineral Resources QP for cross validation with the
Excel lithological description file. Spot checks between Excel
lithological description sheets were performed against the source
data with no inconsistencies found with the geologic unit
descriptions.
Verification of the block model was performed by the creation of
a geostatistical model and the review of its various outputs.
Histograms, simulation and swath plots were created and analyzed to
validate the accuracy of the block model.
Based on the various reviews, validation exercises and remedies
outlined above, the Mineral Resources QP concluded that the data is
adequate for use for Mineral Resource estimation.
Mineral Reserves
A QP has reviewed and verified the Mineral Reserve estimate (the
“Mineral Reserves QP”), for the following as part of the
mine planning, cost model and Mineral Reserves data
verification.
- Geotechnical: slope stability study completed by BARR
Engineering in 2019 and 2024 was reviewed.
- Mining Method: open-pit mining with limited blasting has been
reviewed and assessed with geotechnical reports.
- Pit Optimization: was based on the resource pit completed in
2024. The final optimized pit is limited by several physical
features.
- Mine Design: ramp, bench and face angle parameters were
validated by geotechnical reports.
- Production Schedule: the production schedule was validated
based on reasonability.
- Labor and Equipment: estimations for equipment sizes, capacity,
availability and utilization were reviewed for reasonability.
- Economic Model: model was reviewed and demonstrated economic
viability for the Project.
- Facilities and Materials: facilities and materials located
within the reserve pit boundary will be re-located when access to
those areas are required during mining.
QUALIFIED PERSON
The scientific and technical information contained in this news
release has been derived from the Technical Report and has been
reviewed and approved by Rene LeBlanc, RM-SME, Vice President,
Growth and Product Strategy of the Company, a QP as defined under
NI 43-101.
Further information about Thacker Pass, including a description
of the key assumptions, parameters, sampling methods, data
verification and QA/QC programs, methods relating to Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves and factors that may affect those
estimates are contained in the Technical Report which is available
under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+, and in the S-K 1300
Technical Report which is available under the Company’s profile on
EDGAR at www.sec.gov and both reports are available on the
Company’s website.
Other than as described in the Company’s continuous disclosure
documents, there are no known legal, political, environmental or
other risks that could materially affect the potential development
of the Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at this point in
time.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
This news release contains certain non-GAAP (Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles) measures, including EBITDA. Such measures
have non-standardized meaning under GAAP and may not be comparable
to similar measures used by other issuers. Each of these measures
used are intended to provide additional information to the user and
should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial
measures used in this news release are common to the industry. The
prospective non-GAAP financial measures or ratios presented are not
able to be reconciled to the nearest comparable measure under IFRS
and the equivalent historical non-GAAP financial measure for the
prospective non-GAAP financial measure or ratio discussed herein
are not available because the Project is not and has not been in
production. As the Company has provided these measures on a
forward-looking basis, it is unable to present a quantitative
reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure
calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP without
unreasonable efforts. This is due to the inherent difficulty of
forecasting the timing or amount of various reconciling items that
would impact the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP
measure that have not yet occurred, are outside of the Company’s
control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 43-101 DISCLOSURE
Readers are cautioned that the conclusions, projections and
estimates set out in this news release are subject to important
qualifications, assumptions and exclusions, all of which are
detailed in the Technical Report. To fully understand the summary
information set out above, the Technical Report is available on
SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca should be read in its entirety.
ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS
Lithium Americas is committed to responsibly developing Thacker
Pass located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada, which hosts the
largest known lithium M&I resource and P&P reserve in the
world. Thacker Pass is owned by a joint venture between Lithium
Americas (holding a 62% interest and is the manager of the
Project), and GM (holding a 38% interest). The Company is focused
on advancing Thacker Pass Phase 1 toward production, targeting
nominal design capacity of 40,000 t/y of battery-quality lithium
carbonate. The Company and its EPCM contractor, Bechtel, entered
into a National Construction Agreement (Project Labor Agreement)
with North America’s Building Trades Unions for construction of
Thacker Pass. The three-year construction build is expected to
create nearly 2,000 direct jobs, including 1,800 skilled
contractors. Lithium Americas’ shares are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LAC. To
learn more, visit www.lithiumamericas.com or follow
@LithiumAmericas on social media.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within
the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, and
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
(collectively referred to as “forward-looking information”
(“FLI”)). All statements, other than statements of historical fact,
are FLI and can be identified by the use of statements that
include, but are not limited to, words, such as “anticipate,”
“plan,” “continues,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,”
“projects,” “predict,” “proposes,” “potential,” “target,”
“implement,” “scheduled,” “forecast,” “intend,” “would,” “could,”
“might,” “should,” “believe” and similar terminology, or statements
that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,”
“might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. FLI in this news
release includes, but is not limited to expectations relating to
performance and execution of business plans; expectations related
to current or future joint venture relationships; expectations
relating to financial management, controls and project funding;
expectations relating to the timing and ability to advance to a
final investment decision for major construction of the Project;
expectations relating to delivering shareholder value; expectations
relating to contributions to the development of a North American
lithium supply chain and the resulting beneficial impacts on local
communities proximate to the Project; expectations and timing on
the commencement of major construction and first production;
project de-risking initiatives; expectations related to the
construction build and phases of Thacker Pass and nameplate
capacity (as well as expansion potential) and mine life;
expectations relating to the estimated completion and performance
of the Project, including estimates of operating and capital costs;
statements with respect to the expected economics of Thacker Pass,
including production expectations, EBITDA, NPV, IRR, pricing
assumptions, life of mine, OPEX and sustaining capital; other
statements with respect to the Company’s future objectives and
strategies to achieve these objectives, and management’s beliefs,
plans, estimates and intentions, and similar statements concerning
anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance of
the Project or expectations that are not historical facts.
FLI involves known and unknown risks, assumptions and other
factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ
materially. FLI reflects the Company’s current views about future
events, and while considered reasonable by the Company as of the
date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies. Accordingly, there can be no
certainty that they will accurately reflect actual results.
Assumptions upon which such FLI is based include, without
limitation, the absence of material adverse events affecting the
Company during the construction of the Project; the ability to
perform conditions and meet expectations of agreements with GM;
confidence that development, construction and operations at Thacker
Pass will proceed as anticipated, including the impact of potential
supply chain disruptions and the availability of equipment and
facilities necessary to complete development and construction at
Thacker Pass and produce battery grade lithium; the Company’s
ability to operate in a safe and effective manner, and without
material adverse impact from the effects of climate change or
severe weather conditions; expectations regarding the Company’s
financial resources and future prospects, including the ability to
obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms; expectations
regarding future pricing of lithium and the supplies necessary to
operate Thacker Pass; the ability to meet future objectives and
priorities; a cordial business relationship between the Company and
third party strategic and contractual partners; general business
and economic uncertainties and adverse market conditions;
settlement of agreements related to the operation and sale of
mineral production as well as contracts in respect of operations
and inputs required in the course of production; the Company’s
ability to complete construction of each Phase of the Project on
time and on budget; the respective benefits and impacts of Thacker
Pass when production operations commence; the availability of
equipment and facilities necessary to complete development and
construction at the Project; unforeseen technological, engineering
and operational problems; political factors, including the impact
of the results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election on, among
other things, the extractive resource industry, the green energy
transition and the electric vehicle market; accuracy of development
budgets and construction estimates; uncertainties inherent to
feasibility studies and mineral resource and mineral reserve
estimates; reliability of technical data; uncertainties relating to
receiving and maintaining mining, exploration, environmental and
other permits or approvals in Nevada; government regulation of
mining operations and changes to regulatory or governmental royalty
or tax rates; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or
financing or in the completion of development or construction
activities; demand for lithium, including that such demand is
supported by growth in the electric vehicle market; current
technological trends; the impact of increasing competition in the
lithium business, and the Company’s competitive position in the
industry; changes to costs of production due to general economic
factors such as: recession, inflation, deflation, and financial
instability; compliance by joint venture partners with terms of
agreements; continuing support of local communities and the Fort
McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe for Thacker Pass, and
continuing constructive engagement with these and other
stakeholders, and any expected benefits of such engagement; risks
related to cost, funding and regulatory authoritarians to develop a
workforce housing facility; the stable and supportive legislative,
regulatory and community environment in the jurisdictions where the
Company operates; ability to realize expected benefits from
investments in or partnerships with third parties; availability of
technology, including low carbon energy sources and water rights,
on acceptable terms to advance Thacker Pass; the impact of unknown
financial contingencies, including litigation costs, title dispute
or claims, environmental compliance costs and costs associated with
the impacts of climate change, on the Company’s operations;
increased attention to environmental, social, governance and safety
(“ESG-S”) and sustainability-related matters, risks related to the
Company’s public statements with respect to such matters that may
be subject to heightened scrutiny from public and governmental
authorities related to the risk of potential “greenwashing,” (i.e.,
misleading information or false claims overstating potential
sustainability-related benefits), risks that the Company may face
regarding potentially conflicting anti-ESG-S initiatives from
certain U.S. state or other governments; estimates of and
unpredictable changes to the market prices for lithium products, as
well as assumptions concerning general economic and industry growth
rates, commodity prices, resource estimates, currency exchange and
interest rates and competitive conditions. Although the Company
believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such
FLI are reasonable, the Company can give no assurance that these
assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are
not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such information. As such,
readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this
information, and that this information may not be appropriate for
any other purpose, including investment purposes. The Company’s
actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in
any FLI as a result of the risk factors set out herein and in the
Company’s filings with securities regulators.
The FLI contained in this news release is expressly qualified by
these cautionary statements. All FLI in this news release speaks as
of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake
any obligation to update or revise any FLI, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and
uncertainties is contained in the Company’s filings with securities
regulators, including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on
Form 20-F and most recent management’s discussion and analysis for
our most recently completed financial year and, if applicable,
interim financial period, which are available on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All FLI contained in
this news release is expressly qualified by the risk factors set
out in the aforementioned documents.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107373175/en/
INVESTOR CONTACT Virginia Morgan, VP, IR and ESG
+1-778-726-4070 ir@lithiumamericas.com
Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC)
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Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC)
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From Jan 2024 to Jan 2025