Lithium Americas Receives Favorable Ruling for Thacker Pass Project, Construction to Advance
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Lithium Americas Corp. received a favorable ruling from the U.S. District Court 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 percent owned Thacker Pass project located in Humboldt Country, Nevada. The Federal Court has declined to vacate the ROD for the mining plan of operations.
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,” added Evans.
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 United States, Thacker Pass has received its ROD and is advancing towards construction.
To stop by Lithium Americas’ website, CLICK HERE
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