GM Invests Heavily in Nevada Lithium Mine
General Motors is making a huge power play, no pun intended.
In order to enable our electrified future — and everything from electric vehicles to portable devices — we need reliable batteries, and in order to achieve that, we need a ready supply of critical minerals. Including and especially lithium.
That’s led GM to invest in Nevada’s Thacker Pass mine, the sole lithium producer in the U.S.
America’s domestic lithium is still woefully behind the rest of the world. China holds around 75% of the world’s lithium-ion battery manufacturing capacity, plus a huge portion of its lithium reserves.
By contrast, the U.S. only has about 3.6% of global lithium reserves.
Needless to say, our dependence on China — an economic and geopolitical rival — to provide the critical materials and batteries necessary to literally power the future is extremely worrisome.
The U.S. perceives PRC security threats in everything from Huawei to China controlling American farms within 20 miles of military bases.
If a farm can be problematic, you can only imagine the agita over a necessary component for electric everything.
GM is investing about $650 million in Lithium Americas, giving them exclusive access to the Thacker Pass mine — and its lithium carbonate — beginning in the second half of 2026.
According to Lithium Americas, the lithium extracted from their mine should be enough for up to 1 million EVs per year.
“Direct sourcing critical EV raw materials and components from suppliers in North America and free-trade-agreement countries helps make our supply chain more secure, helps us manage cell costs, and creates jobs,” said GM CEO Mary Barra.
GM’s investment funds are conditional, including the outcome of the Record of Decision currently pending in US District Court.
