Vancouver-based lithium miner Lithium Americas saw its share price soar more than 22 per cent on Wednesday thanks to automotive giant General Motors announcing plans to invest US$625 million in cash and credit to buy a stake in a Lithium Americas mine in Nevada.
The agreement enables GM to acquire a 38-per-cent stake in the Thacker Pass lithium carbonate mining operation in Nevada. The new money includes US$430 million in cash to build Phase 1 of the mine, as well as US$195 million in credit. Initial construction at the site launched in March 2023, following a court case and protests from conservationists, ranchers and First Nation communities.