A federal judge in Nevada has ruled in favor of the Thacker Pass lithium mine, owned by Lithium Americas Corp. (LAC:NYE) and its subsidiary. The decision marks a significant victory for the company, with production expected to begin in 2026.
Despite the ruling, opponents of the mine are considering an appeal, citing growing concerns about the reach of mining law. The judge partially agreed with environmentalists, stating that the Bureau of Land Management failed to determine the company’s valid mining rights on adjacent lands.
This part of the decision aligns with a recent ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which could prove more challenging for mining companies seeking to dispose of waste on neighboring federal lands.
However, the judge denied the request to vacate the overall project’s Record of Decision, allowing construction to proceed. The announcement follows General Motors’ recent announcement of a $650 million investment in Lithium Americas, which is contingent on the project clearing final environmental and legal challenges.
