Lithium Americas Receives Favorable Ruling on Record of Decision for Thacker Pass

Rhea-AI Summary

Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC) received a positive ruling from the US District Court on February 6, 2023, regarding its Thacker Pass project in Nevada. The Court upheld the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD) for a mining plan, allowing construction to move forward without significant delays. The ruling dismissed concerns regarding environmental degradation and affirmed the thoroughness of the permitting process. However, the Court has ordered the BLM to reassess the mining-claim rights related to waste storage. The Company remains committed to advancing the Thacker Pass project towards construction.

Positive

• Favorable ruling from the US District Court supports the advancement of the Thacker Pass project.
• Court's decision allows for construction to begin with no major restrictions.
• BLM's permitting process was confirmed as thorough and responsible.

Negative

• Federal Court mandated BLM to reassess mining-claim rights for waste storage, which could introduce delays.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (NYSE: LAC) (“Lithium Americas” or the “Company”) received a favorable ruling from the US District Court, District of Nevada (“Federal Court”) on February 6, 2023, for the appeal filed against the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) for the issuance of the Record of Decision (“ROD”) relating to the Company’s 100%-owned Thacker Pass project (“Thacker Pass” or the “Project”) located in Humboldt Country, Nevada. The Federal Court has declined to vacate the ROD for the mining Plan of Operations (the “Federal Permit”).

The favorable ruling by the Federal Court confirms the permitting process for Thacker Pass was conducted thoroughly and responsibly, and results in there being no impediment to commencing construction. The Federal Court ordered the BLM to consider one issue under the mining law relating to the area designated for waste storage and tailings and did not impose any restrictions expected to impact the construction timeline.

“We are pleased that the Federal Court has recognized the BLM’s decision to issue the Federal Permit, reflecting our considerable efforts to ensure Thacker Pass is developed responsibly and for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Jonathan Evans, President and CEO. “The favorable ruling leaves in place the final regulatory approval needed in moving Thacker Pass into construction.”

The Federal Court rejected arguments that the Project will cause unnecessary and undue degradation to the local sage grouse population and habitat, groundwater aquifers and air quality; that the BLM failed to adequately assess the Project’s impacts on air quality, wildlife and groundwater; that the BLM failed to adequately consider the Project’s impacts to culturally or religiously significant areas; and that BLM acted unreasonably or in bad faith in identifying tribes for consultation before approving the Project.

The remand issued by Federal Court to the BLM is to determine whether the Company possesses adequate mining-claim rights to the lands over the area in which the waste storage and tailings are expected to be located, based on an appellate decision that was issued after the BLM issued its ROD for Thacker Pass. The Company intends to work closely with the BLM to complete the required follow-up.

ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS

Lithium Americas is focused on advancing lithium projects in Argentina and the United States to production. In Argentina, Caucharí-Olaroz is advancing towards first production and Pastos Grandes represents regional growth. In the U.S., Thacker Pass has received its ROD and is advancing towards construction. The Company trades on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol “LAC”.

For further information contact:
Investor Relations
Telephone: 778-656-5820
Email: ir@lithiumamericas.com
Website: www.lithiumamericas.com

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains certain forward-looking information, including the impact of the ruling on the construction plan and timeline for the Project and the process to address the remand issued in respect of the waste dump and tailing storage area. Statements that are not historical fact are “forward-looking information” as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 (“NI 51-102”) of the Canadian Securities Administrators (collectively, “forward-looking information”). Forward-looking information is frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “plans”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur or be achieved. In stating the forward-looking information herein, Lithium Americas has applied certain material assumptions including, but not limited to, the assumption that general business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner.

Forward-looking information involves information about the future and is inherently uncertain, and actual results, performance or achievements of Lithium Americas and its subsidiaries may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks involved in respect of the permitting process and legal challenges related thereto; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in information released by Lithium Americas and filed with the applicable regulatory agencies.

Lithium Americas’ forward-looking information is based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date such information is posted, and Lithium Americas does not assume, and expressly disclaims, any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

 

FAQ

What was the recent ruling by the US District Court regarding Lithium Americas Corp (LAC)?

The US District Court ruled favorably for Lithium Americas, upholding the Bureau of Land Management's Record of Decision for the Thacker Pass project, allowing construction to proceed.

How does the court's ruling affect the Thacker Pass project timeline?

The ruling allows for construction to begin without significant delays, although the BLM must reassess mining-claim rights for waste storage.

What environmental concerns were addressed in the court ruling for LAC's Thacker Pass project?

The court dismissed arguments that the project would harm local sage grouse populations, air quality, or groundwater.

What is the current status of Lithium Americas Corp's Thacker Pass project?

The Thacker Pass project has received its Record of Decision and is moving towards construction, pending the resolution of mining-claim rights.