Name of the Project
Thacker Pass lithium project.

Location
The project is located in Humboldt County, Nevada, in the US.

Client
Lithium Americas.

Project Description
The project has a proven and probable reserve estimate of 179.4-million tonnes of ore, with an average grade of 3 283 parts per million lithium containing 3.1-million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.

The prefeasibility study (PFS) envisages a large-scale lithium project, with a design capacity of 60 000 t/y of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃). Phase 1 production is estimated at 30 000 t/y, increasing to 60 000 t/y in Phase 2.

The project will be developed as an openpit mining operation using conventional continuous mining equipment.

Given the soft nature of the deposit, minimal blasting and crushing is expected.

The ore will be processed in a leaching circuit using sulphuric acid to liberate the lithium from the claystone.

Following the leaching process, the lithium-bearing solution will be purified using crystal-lisers and reagents to produce battery-grade Li₂CO₃.

The mine plan contemplates mining 509.8-million tonnes of material, comprising 330.4-million tonnes of waste rock and 179.4-million tonnes of ore (delivered to plant) over a 46-year mine life.

With the reliance on sulphuric acid, the project will involve the construction of a 5 280 t/d (Phase 1 – 2 640 t/d ) conventional sulphuric acid plant site. The plant will convert molten sulphur into low-cost sulphuric 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 sulphuric acid plant proposes a cogeneration facility, providing enough carbon-free electricity to power the entire project, with excess power being sold to the grid.

Additional infrastructure in Phase 2 includes:

• doubling the sulphuric acid capacity by building a second acid plant;
• increasing capacity in ore preparation, leaching, filtration, crystallisation, and reagent storage; and
• construction of a rail line with service directly to the plant.

The production process is designed to use conventional and commonly available equipment, arranged to take advantage of the distinctive qualities of the high-grade ore. The process comprises a series of steps to concentrate, separate and produce battery-grade Li₂CO₃.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $3.9-billion and an internal rate of return of 36.6%.

Value
Initial capital costs, including a 19% contingency, are estimated at $581-million for Phase 1, and $478-million for Phase 2.

Duration
The PFS envisages initial Phase 1 production capacity of 30 000 t/y of battery-grade Li₂CO₃ starting in 2022. Phase 2 construction is projected to start in 2025, with added production entering the market by 2026.

Latest Developments
Lithium Americas has identified a number of areas for further consideration.

To improve financing flexibility, Lithium Americas is considering the production of an intermediate product, with the final processing to be completed by a separate company.

Lithium Americas is considering leveraging the plant design to manufacture lithium hydroxide. In addition, the company will consider the production of lithium metal from Li₂CO₃ produced at the plant.

It also plans on leveraging the plant design for the future inclusion of a lithium-ion battery recycling facility. Under further consideration is the feasibility of extracting and processing other critical minerals within the Thacker Pass deposit currently treated as waste.

Lithium Americas will evaluate the potential to engage an experienced rail industry partner to build, own and operate the proposed rail spur from the Union Pacific main line to the plant.

The company will evaluate the potential for a partnership/s in the ownership, construction and/or operation of the acid plants.

This could include a joint venture partnership or a third-party build, own, operate structure.

Further, it will evaluate the feasibility of generating solar electricity near the plant site to increase revenue and reduce the environmental footprint of the project.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Lithium Americas, email info@lithiumamericas.com.