Lithium Americas Corp. advances Thacker Pass as the U.S. lithium supply chain accelerates

Lithium Americas has announced that it closed 2025 with significant construction progress at its Thacker Pass project, positioning the asset as one of the most strategic lithium developments in the United States. With Phase 1 well underway, the company now turns to 2026 with strong construction momentum, defined capital guidance, and clearly targeted development milestones.

President and CEO Jonathan Evans described 2025 as a defining year for the company: “2025 was a pivotal year for Lithium Americas and the Thacker Pass Project with Phase 1 construction well underway. Safety remains our top priority, processing facilities are rising and critical equipment and materials are arriving daily. As planned, we expect to reach peak construction employment of roughly 1,800 skilled craftspeople by year-end. Lithium market conditions are strengthening just as the project prepares to come online in late 2027, with full ramp-up through 2028”

Building a secure North American lithium supply chain

As Evans further emphasized: “Thacker Pass represents a unique opportunity to build a secure, resilient North American lithium supply chain. We value our partnership with the federal government and the support of local, state and federal leaders who share our commitment to strengthening America’s energy future”

Construction momentum highlights

By the end of 2025, engineering for Phase 1 was 93% complete and procurement stood at 60%. Nearly 950 personnel were on site at year-end, with that number expected to grow to approximately 1,800 during peak construction in 2026. Over 1.69 million workhours were completed in 2025 without a serious injury or lost-time incident, reflecting a total recordable incident frequency rate of 0.21.

Concrete and foundation work continues across major facilities including the Filter Building, Magnesium Sulfate Building, and warehouse structures, while structural steel installation has advanced significantly. Long-lead equipment has begun arriving, and modular pipe rack systems, fabricated offsite to enhance safety and efficiency, are being delivered to site. The Workforce Hub is now partially operational and housing hundreds of workers, supporting the ramp-up in construction activity.

At the same time, Lithium Americas is expanding its Operations and Business Readiness team to manage the transition from construction to commissioning and ultimately production. With commissioning of individual plants expected to begin in late 2026, the company is actively preparing safety protocols, training programs, operating procedures and equipment validation processes.

Capex guidance

For 2026, the company has provided capital expenditure guidance in the range of $1.3 to $1.6 billion for Phase 1. This includes construction costs, capitalized development expenditures and interest related to the U.S. Department of Energy loan. Approximately three-quarters of the capital cost structure relates to labor, contractors and services, limiting direct exposure to potential tariff fluctuations in global equipment supply chains.

Development milestones

Major 2026 milestones include continued delivery of long-lead equipment such as the steam turbine generator and sulfuric acid plant components, commissioning of the high-voltage power line, completion of core concrete work, regional substation upgrades, and the beginning of early commissioning activities toward the end of the year. Mechanical completion remains targeted for late 2027, followed by ramp-up through 2028.

Strategic positioning in the EV and energy transition era

Phase 1 is designed to produce 40,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, forming a foundational element of a domestic battery materials supply chain. The project is structured as a joint venture between Lithium Americas and General Motors, supported by a $2.23 billion DOE loan and strategic capital participation.

In a global context defined by EV growth, critical minerals strategy, energy security policy, and reshoring of supply chains, Thacker Pass represents more than a mining project. It is an industrial-scale commitment to building resilient lithium production capacity in North America.

The coming two years will be decisive, not only for Lithium Americas, but for the broader trajectory of U.S. lithium independence.