ENERGY MINERALS

Lithium Americas to restart Caucharí-Olaroz construction

Shares at one-year high

Staff reporter
 Lithium Americas’ Caucharí-Olaroz JV project in Argentina was 47% complete at June 30

Lithium Americas’ Caucharí-Olaroz JV project in Argentina was 47% complete at June 30

The project was suspended in March in line with the government's quarantine measures and suspended again in early July after two workers tested positive for COVID-19, with the company then "actively addressing" matters with the Jujuy province.

"We remain focused on protecting our workers and communities, while coordinating closely with the province of Jujuy to ensure we operate responsibly and safely as we begin to restart construction activities over the next few weeks," president and CEO Jon Evans said.

Lithium Americas said on Friday the project was 47% complete at June 30, with 75% or US$427 million of the planned capital committed and 54% or $304 million spent.

It was continuing to review the impacts of the temporary suspension of the project on the timeline and budget and said it would provide an update once the assessments had been completed.

Joint venture partner Ganfeng Lithium is increasing its stake in Caucharí-Olaroz from 50% to 51% in a transaction "on track to close by the end of Q3" subject to remaining closing conditions, Lithium Americas said.

It also has the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, where it expected a definitive feasibility study in the fourth quarter and said it was exploring financing options, including the possibility of a joint venture partner.

The company ended June with $50 million in cash and equivalents.

Its shares (TSX: LAC) touched C$10.57 intraday before closing up 7.7% to $10.44, capitalising it at $942.3 million (US$712 million).

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.