Published: July 1, 2025 | Share This

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American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) said its Tonopah Lithium Flats Project (TFLP) has been selected as a transparency priority project by the U.S. Federal Permitting Council. This designation highlights the projects critical role in advancing domestic critical mineral lithium production and supporting U.S. energy independence. The project is now featured on the FAST-41 permitting dashboard, underscoring its importance as a national priority.

“We are excited by this selection of our Tonopah Flats Lithium Project as a FAST-41 critical mineral transparency project,” said American Battery Technology’s CEO Ryan Melsert.

“As we are currently working through permitting efforts with multiple federal agencies for the construction of this domestic critical mineral project, the support to coordinate and fast-track these efforts is greatly appreciated,” added Melsert.

For ABTC’s Tonopah Flats Lithium Project, this distinction marks a significant milestone in its development. Situated in central Nevada, the project encompasses one of the largest identified claystone resource deposits in the United States, and has the foundation to play a pivotal role in addressing the nation’s growing needs for onshoring battery-grade lithium, an essential component in the production of advanced energy storage, defense systems, medical devices, electronic vehicles, and consumer electronics.

“This is an exciting time as we work with our colleagues across the federal government to unleash America’s vast energy and mineral resources. The Permitting Council stands ready to bring the transparency of our program to these projects, speeding the production of the critical minerals needed for our national and economic security,” said Emily Domenech, Permitting Council Executive Director.

The designation as a priority project is especially beneficial when a company is engaged with multiple federal agencies for project permitting. The TFLP is located on land managed by the U.S. Department of Interior, while the project has also received a competitive $58 million grant to support the construction of the first phase of this project by the U.S. Department of Energy, and ABTC recently received a letter of interest (LOI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for $900 million in financing to support the subsequent expansion of this commercial-scale lithium mine and refinery.

ABTC’s Tonopah Flats Project is strongly aligned with EXIM’s make more in America initiative as well as its China and transformational export program, both of which provide beneficial financing terms for U.S. companies facing competition from the People’s Republic of China to ensure the United States leads in certain critical export areas, including the domestic manufacturing of critical minerals.

The Fast 41 Transparency Project selection and the issuance of the U.S. EXIM LOI is aligned with President Trump’s executive order Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production which directs federal agencies, including EXIM, to unlock permitting, funding, and offtake agreements for domestic critical mineral manufacturing facilities. The executive order includes near-term actions to be determined and implemented by the agencies to fast-track permits, mobilize capital for mineral producers, and create offtake agreements for strategic stockpiling for minerals critical to the United States’ defense, technology, and energy.

In accordance with SEC guidelines, in April 2024, ABTC published its amended Initial assessment, which presents the technical and economic study of this project and concluded that this resource is one of the largest known lithium resources in the United States.

The company has already successfully demonstrated its internally-developed technologies and manufactured battery-grade lithium hydroxide at its multi-tonne per day pilot demonstration plant from claystone collected from its Tonopah Flats Lithium resource site. This success serves as the foundation for the development of a commercial-scale lithium hydroxide refinery, which is designed to manufacture 30,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide annually. The design and construction of this facility are being led in partnership with global engineering firm Black & Veatch, leveraging the blueprint established by ABTC’s pilot operations.

ABTC’s Tonopah Flats Lithium Project underscores its mission to lead the sustainable advancement of domestic critical minerals and secure a pivotal role in meeting the U.S.’s growing demand for domestically produced critical mineral lithium. By prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and environmentally responsible practices, ABTC is strengthening the domestic critical mineral supply chain.

American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), headquartered in Reno, Nevada, has pioneered first-of-kind technologies to unlock domestically manufactured and recycled battery metals critically needed to help meet the significant demand from the electric vehicle, stationary storage, and consumer electronics industries. Committed to a circular supply chain for battery metals, ABTC works to continually innovate and master new battery metals technologies that power a global transition to electrification and the future of sustainable energy.

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