We are committed to engaging with local indigenous and community stakeholders, resolving concerns, providing skills training and supporting area efforts to provide essential services. For over 10 years, we have been engaged in this community through open houses, public meetings, job creation, environmental preservation and philanthropy.
We began early engagement with the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe (Tribe), who are located approximately 40 miles away and the largest Native American community within the vicinity of Thacker Pass. We have formed long-term relationships with Tribal members and have encouraged members to consider future employment at Thacker Pass.
In October 2022, the Company signed a Community Benefits Agreement with the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe to establish a framework for continued collaboration and define long-term benefits for the Tribe. We will be building the Tribe a multi-purpose facility that will provide a quality preschool facility, cultural center, covered picnic area, playground and a greenhouse.
We sponsored a cultural monitor training program, allowing Tribe members to act as cultural monitors and assist with field activities regarding cultural resource investigation and mitigation at Thacker Pass. In 2022, with oversight and assistance from Tribe members, Lithium Americas enlisted Far Western Anthropological Research Group to complete cultural work on approximately 13,000 acres at Thacker Pass. This was a key requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Work completed in summer 2022 confirmed no areas of archaeological significance were found.
Thacker Pass was designed reflecting input collected during numerous stakeholder meetings and open houses. We continue to actively participate in the local Orovada Working Group, consisting of representatives of the local community. The purpose of the group is to develop agreements supported by scientific data and community buy-in to guide the construction and operations of Thacker Pass
We continue to work collaboratively with the communities closest to Thacker Pass towards mutually beneficial relationships. We are excited to continue to engage and collaborate with our stakeholders as the project advances.
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Being a Good Neighbor
Over the years, we have met regularly with local community members for the purpose of identifying community concerns and developing ways to address them
Community Working Group Member
Active Orovada Working Group member dedicated to developing agreements, supported by scientific data and community views, to guide the construction and operation of Thacker Pass, with a focus on identifying solutions that protect the safety and well-being of community members
Improving Community Safety
In coordination with the Nevada Department of Transportation and developed in consultation with the local communities, we completed traffic improvements and safety upgrades at the intersection of US95 and SR293
Enabling Education
We collaborated with the Humboldt County School District, community and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on the design and location of a K-8 school in Orovada
Hiring Locally
McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe member Jayson Crutcher and McDermitt resident William Ashby were among the first local people hired to help our geophysics team prepare for major construction
In 2022, we provided heavy equipment operator training for Tribe members on tribal lands and sponsored a cultural monitor training program; 11 Tribe members were hired by archaeological consultants to complete the cultural work
Building Community
Working with the Tribe to build a modern preschool facility, community center and greenhouse
Transloading Facility and the Workforce Hub
Hosting community townhalls to share the Company's plans on building a transloading facility and workforce hub in Winnemucca
To learn more about the various ways we are creating sustainable value for our stakeholders, visit the Economic Benefits and Opportunities page.