thacker pass lithium deposit: geology and ......thacker pass lithium deposit: geology and processing...

THACKER PASS LITHIUM DEPOSIT:GEOLOGY AND PROCESSING OF THE LARGEST LI DEPOSIT IN NORTH AMERICA

PDAC 2019 • TECHNOLOGY METALS TECHNICAL SESSION

Dr. Thomas R. Benson, Lead Global Exploration Geologist

TSX & NYSE (LAC) | MARCH 2019 | 2

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT & DISCLAIMERTechnical InformationScientific and technical information in this presentation about the Caucharí-Olaroz Project andthe Thacker Pass Project has been reviewed and approved by Rene LeBlanc, a qualified personunder NI 43-101. Further information about the Caucharí-Olaroz Project is available in the NI 43-101 technical report, “Updated Feasibility Study, Reserve Estimation and Lithium CarbonateProduction at the Caucharí-Olaroz Salars, Jujuy Province, Argentina,” dated January 15, 2018available on SEDAR. Further information about the Thacker Pass Project (formerly Stage 1 ofLithium Nevada project), including a description of data verification and QA/QC programs, isavailable in the NI 43-101 technical report of Lithium Americas effective August 1, 2018 entitled“Technical Report on the Pre-Feasibility Study for the Thacker Pass Project, Humboldt County,Nevada, USA”, available on SEDAR.

The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates contained in this press release have beenprepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, whichdiffer from the requirements of United States securities laws and use terms that are notrecognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Canadianreporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed by NI 43-101. U.S.reporting requirements are governed by the SEC Industry Guide 7 under the United StatesSecurities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, technical information set forth herein may notbe comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S.standards.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis presentation contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicableCanadian securities legislation, and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning ofapplicable United States securities legislation (collectively referred to as “forward-lookinginformation”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-lookinginformation. Forward looking information can be identified by the use of statements thatinclude words such as "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "exceed", "may","will", "project", "predict", “propose”, "potential", "targeting", "exploring", “scheduled”, "intend","could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar words or expressions. Forward-lookinginformation in this presentation includes, but is not limited to: successful development of theCauchari-Olaroz and Thacker Pass projects, including timing, production and operationforecasts, and results thereof; the results 2018 strategic transactions with Ganfeng, includingthat the financing components thereof will be sufficient; the potential for future collaborationwith Ganfeng; results of an updated development plan at Caucharí-Olaroz to increaseproduction capacity to 50,000 tpa of lithium carbonate; the targeted date for production tocommence at Cauchari-Olaroz; all financial estimates for the Cauchari-Olaroz and Thacker Passprojects; estimation of mineral resources and mineral reserves; timing and results of additionaldevelopment studies on the Thacker Pass Project, including in relation to the pilot plant,forecasts for future lithium market demand and pricing, government regulation of miningoperations and treatment under government and taxation regimes.

Forward-looking information involve known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factorsthat may cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking information reflectmanagement’s current views with respect to future events, and while considered reasonable bymanagement at this time, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect actualresults. Assumptions upon which such forward-looking information is based include, withoutlimitation: long term pricing and demand growth for lithium products; Lithium Americas’ abilityto fund, advance and develop the Cauchari-Olaroz and Thacker Pass projects as currentlyforecast, including results therefrom; a cordial business relationship between Lithium Americasand Ganfeng; a stable and supportive legislative and regulatory environment for miningdevelopment; the impact of increasing competition; ability to operate in a safe and effective

manner; accuracy of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; and ability to obtain financing onreasonable terms or at all. Lithium Americas' actual results, programs and financial positioncould differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information as a result ofnumerous factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Lithium Americas' control.These include, but are not limited to: inherent risks in development of capital intensive mineralprojects (including as co-owners); possible variations in mineral resource and reserveestimates; recovery rates; lithium prices; changes in project parameters as plans continue to berefined; changes in legislation or governmental policy; security of mineral property titles andpermits; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents; acts ofgod or severe weather; labour disputes; environmental liabilities; cost overruns or unanticipatedcosts and expenses; the availability of funds; and general market and industry conditions.

The foregoing list of risks, assumptions and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Additionalinformation on these and other factors can be found in Lithium Americas’ annual informationform and most recently filed management discussion & analysis available on SEDAR and theirequivalents on EDGAR. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will proveto be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipatedin such information. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance onforward-looking information. Lithium Americas does not intend, and expressly disclaims anyobligation to, update any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information,future events or otherwise, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.

Forward Looking Financial InformationCertain information provided in this presentation constitutes forward-looking financialinformation within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Management has provided thisinformation as of the date of this document in order to assist readers to better understand theexpected results and impact of Lithium Americas’ operations. Readers are cautioned that thisinformation may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment purposes, andconsequently should not place undue reliance on this information. Readers are furthercautioned to review the full description of risks, uncertainties and management’s assumptionsin Lithium Americas’ most recent and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis availableon SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking financial information also constitute forward-looking information within the context of applicable securities laws and as such, is subject tothe same risks, uncertainties and assumptions as are set out in the cautionary note above.

DisclaimerInformation provided in this presentation is necessarily summarized and may not contain allavailable material information, accordingly, readers are cautioned to review Lithium Americas’public disclosure record in full. Lithium Americas expressly disclaims any responsibility forreaders reliance on this presentation. This presentation is provided for informational purposesonly, and shall not form the basis of any commitment or offering. Any such commitment oroffering will only be made by binding written agreement containing customary terms fortransactions of such nature, and only then in compliance with applicable laws, includingsecurities laws of Canada and the United States. This presentation is property of LithiumAmericas Corp.

All figures in US Dollars unless otherwise noted.

LITHIUM DEMAND


See Technical Report on the Pre-Feasibility Study for the Thacker Pass Project, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA dated effective Aug. 1, 2018, available on SEDAR.


LITHIUM VOLATILITY

This concept can be used to illustrate the formation of all lithium deposit types:

1. Hard Rock / Pegmatite2. Brine3. Sedimentary / Clay


GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF HARD ROCK DEPOSITS


GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF BRINE DEPOSITS


GEOLOGICAL FORMATION OF SEDIMENTARY/CLAY DEPOSITS


THE THACKER PASS PROJECT


THACKER PASS PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE


Drilling Program• 374 drill holes• 114,000 feet of drilling

THACKER PASS PROJECT MINERAL RESOURCE

See Technical Report on the Pre-Feasibility Study for the Thacker Pass Project, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA dated effective Aug. 1, 2018, available on SEDAR.

The Company anticipates designing Thacker Pass to use conventional open-pit mining, sulfuric acid leaching and lithium processing to produce battery quality lithium products.


FORECAST OF THACKER PASS PROJECT PROCESS FLOWSHEET


PROCESSING COMPARISON


HIGHLIGHTS OF TECHNICAL BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES BY TYPE

Note: Excludes royaltiesSource: Lithium Americas, modified cost curve based on data from Morgan Stanley


COST CURVE (EXCLUDING ROYALITES)


THACKER PASS PROJECT TIMELINE

Drilling Project SitePilot Plant Commissioning


TAKE-AWAY POINTS

• Formation of lithium deposits are well understood.

• Each type of deposit has a role in the market place.

• We expect that sedimentary/clay deposits can be economically accessed with the right deposit and the right process.

The proposed process for the Thacker Pass deposit is expected to utilize industrially proven processes assembled into a

proprietary system to economically recover lithium from the largest and highest grade known sedimentary resource.

thacker pass lithium deposit: geology and ......thacker pass lithium deposit: geology and processing...

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