February 7, 2025
First Craft Team Hits the Ground at Thacker Pass!
We’ve reached an exciting milestone at Thacker Pass as our first group of craft employees, pictured above, begins transforming Thacker Pass into North America’s largest lithium operation! Their work is included under a Project Labor Agreement with North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU).
Local Talent Leading the Way
This week marks a historic moment as our first team of 10 union craft employees completed their induction and training on February 4 and are now actively working on site at Thacker Pass. Included in the inaugural group are two heavy equipment operators, a journeyman electrician, laborers, a teamster (truck driver), and a carpenter – all from regional unions.
We’re particularly proud that these skilled professionals come from our local communities, reinforcing our commitment to creating jobs right here at home. Seven of the 10 workers are from northern Nevada. They will be the first of many hired by multiple contractors as construction of the lithium processing facility ramps up.
“You are the first 10,” said Bechtel Site Manager Ricardo Ramirez. “We’re going to write this history together. Be proud of that.”
Building the Foundation
After two days of project induction and safety training, the pioneering 10 workers are now tackling the crucial first steps that will enable our larger construction effort. Their essential work includes:
- Establishing the craft entrance infrastructure and efficient clock-in systems
- Creating safe and comfortable break and lunch areas for the growing workforce
- Setting up weather-protective tents and worker facilities
- Preparing the groundwork for upcoming concrete operations
Looking Ahead
This initial team is paving the way for an exciting expansion of our craft workforce. Their preparations are setting the stage for a significant ramp-up of concrete operations and other construction activities that will bring our industry-leading lithium processing facility to life. This is just the beginning of an operation that will help drive America’s cleaner energy future, and it starts with our local workforce.
Building Excellence with Safety at the Core
Expanding Local Presence
Bechtel, our Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contractor has expanded their presence in our community with nearly 40 team members now based in Winnemucca and at Thacker Pass. We’re particularly proud that this growth includes new hires from our local community, bringing valuable regional knowledge to the project.
Safety-First Culture
At the heart of our expansion is an unwavering commitment to safety. Our integrated teams are working collaboratively to:
- Maintain our zero incident/accident goal
- Foster a proactive safety culture
- Ensure the highest quality construction standards
Create robust safety protocols for all site operations
Thacker Pass updates:
- Sawtooth Mining, our mining partner/contractor who is performing most of the construction-related earthwork is continuing excavation of the process plant pad, which is nearly 90% complete. Pictured above is an aerial view of the plant pad general fill, looking north, taken on Jan. 27, 2025.
- Highmark Construction, our general fill earthworks contractor, is 85% complete with general fill placement.
- Malta Ready Mix, our concrete foundation contractor, is installing their concrete batch plant on site. As of this week they have placed approximately 450 cubic yards (CY) for their temporary facilities. The first large concrete pour for the process plant area is anticipated in May 2025. Pictured above is the temporary batch plant which is in operation.
- Ames’ select fill processing plant, pictured above, is a carefully choreographed dance of heavy machinery that will transform raw rock into optimal foundation material that adheres to project requirements to support a stable foundation for the plant facilities. Installation of the select fill processing plant is 80% complete and anticipated to be in service by next week.
- Thacker Pass is in regular communication with state and federal agencies regarding construction progress, and safety and environmental compliance.
FOUNDATIONS FOR OUR WORKFORCE HUB TAKE SHAPE
Workforce Hub updates:
- City of Winnemucca building inspections are ongoing
- Sanbell Engineering, our civil engineering contractor, is inspecting concrete placement for foundations of the modules.
- Target Hospitality, the contractor selected for installation and operation of the Workforce Hub, is conducting pre-installation inspections on modules and assisting with final engineering to prepare for setting the modules in place.
- Offsite utility construction activities have begun at Rim Rock Road. There will be partial road closures in this area for a few weeks as Hunewill completes road work.
- Progress on the foundation includes the following:
- Joy Engineering, our contractor for sewer, drainage and roadways is currently grading and generating structural fill
- More than 280 pre-cast foundations have been set
- 28 cast-in-place foundations have been placed
Companies currently on site at the Workforce Hub:
| Company: | Role: |
| Lithium Americas Corp | Owner of the Workforce Hub |
| Bechtel | Engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contractor |
| Wood Group | Structural engineer |
| Sanbell Engineering | Civil engineer |
| Joy Engineering | Installing onsite sewer improvements and roadways |
| Brahma Group | Concrete foundation contractor |
| Jensen Pre-Cast | Concrete foundation contractor |
| Nevada Building Supply (NBS) | Aggregate supplier, also supplying structural steel |
| Humboldt Ready Mix | Concrete foundation contractor |
| Ruby Mountain Natural Spring Water | Drinking water supplier |
| Desert Disposal | Waste management |
| Civeo | Vendor of the Workforce Hub modules |
| Karve Builders | Civeo’s contractor on site for module remediation |
| ServiceMaster | Assisting Karve with preparing the modules |
| Target Hospitality | Contractor selected for installation and operation of the Workforce Hub |
Message from Lithium Americas: “We hope you enjoy our Thacker Pass Weekly Updates, as we are committed to providing information on the progress we’re making at Thacker Pass.”
Comments are closed