Community and Indigenous Engagement

Lithium Americas is committed to building strong relationships with local communities everywhere we operate and creating positive socio-economic impact and generating value for our stakeholders throughout our development and operating activities.

Building on several years of engagement and relationship-building between the Company and the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe (Tribe), the closest Native American community to the project site, located approximately 40 miles from Thacker Pass, in October 2022, we jointly signed a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). The CBA establishes a framework for continued collaboration and defines long-term benefits for the Tribe.

Thacker Pass is expected to provide employment for over 1,000 workers during construction and approximately 500 permanent workers during operations. We are committed to employing Nevadans and working with Nevada service providers to the greatest extent possible.

In anticipation of construction and operations, we are working with the Tribe to provide skills training. In October 2022, additional heavy equipment operator training for Tribe members took place on tribal lands. In late 2021 and early 2022, the Company arranged for specialized cultural monitor training for Tribe members, resulting in 11 members securing work with Far Western between April to mid-July 2022 to complete the cultural work at Thacker Pass.

We have also partnered with trade schools and local community colleges such as Great Basin College to offer training programs and workforce development initiatives. One such initiative is the BuildNV Core Construction Training Program, which provides 80 hours of training in basic construction skills.

Being a Good Neighbor infographic(opens in new window)

Talent Attraction, Development and Retention

A key aspect of our recruitment program is to proactively support local community development and skills training organizations.

Building Thacker Pass will require over 1,000 skilled workers. Operating it will require approximately 500 family-supporting permanent positions for the life of the mine (40 years). We've struck a partnership with Career Bound NV ‐ a regional work-based learning program that allows Nevada students to explore in-demand career fields and provides opportunities to participate in internships, work experience and apprenticeship programs.

We are actively supporting the organization's BuildNV Core Construction Training Program, which provides 80 hours of training to students to learn basic skills for the construction workforce and beyond. Thacker Pass has numerous in-demand positions that will offer these students several paths that lead to middle and higher-income salaries with benefits ‐ everything from construction equipment operators, skilled laborers and mining operators to chemical lab technicians, environmental managers and more.

The sustainability and resiliency of our industry depends on a pipeline of talent that will emerge from programs such as Career Bound NV-BuildNV. We will continue to support these and other critical workforce training programs to address our workforce development landscape now and for years to come.

Human Rights

Lithium Americas is committed to upholding the rights and interests of workers and local communities across our supply chain and operations. We are committed to upholding fundamental human rights as defined in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

We are working to align our formal policies and procedures with international standards and best practices. We are currently developing a corporate Human Rights Policy in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights. It will complement the company’s current policies and programs designed to protect human and employee rights.

Diversity Equity Inclusion

While doing business, we value diversity of thought, perspectives and approaches. We foster a workplace culture where employees feel valued and can freely express their insights and creativity. Our policies and operations align with all national legislation pertaining to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. Our Code of Conduct outlines the principles and policies everyone is expected to comply with to create a workplace free from discrimination.

Read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy (opens in new window) to learn more.