Lithium Nevada has awarded CB&I a contract to deliver critical storage infrastructure for the Thacker Pass lithium project in northern Nevada, marking a key step in advancing what is set to become North America’s largest lithium mining operation.
The scope of work involves the engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction of 36 flat-bottom atmospheric tanks that will store process solutions, chemicals, and intermediate products used in the purification of lithium extracted from clay deposits.
According to CB&I, the contract is valued between US$50 million and US$100 million.
Designed to rigorous environmental, seismic, and safety standards, the tanks will play an essential role in enabling Thacker Pass to process lithium on site.
CB&I noted that they will leverage proprietary field construction techniques and large-scale fabrication capabilities to deliver the infrastructure.
The Thacker Pass project, managed by Bechtel as the engineering, procurement, and construction management contractor, has been designated a nationally significant venture due to its role in helping reduce US reliance on imported critical minerals, particularly as demand for lithium-ion batteries accelerates with the expansion of the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.
“We are proud to support Lithium Nevada and Bechtel in delivering a lithium project of national significance,” said CB&I president and CEO Mark Butts.
“Thacker Pass will help enable a US supply of lithium and create well-paying jobs during construction and operations.
“Our team is honoured to contribute CB&I’s legacy of tank engineering and construction excellence to this important project.”
Lithium Nevada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Americas, is leading development of the deposit, situated in Humboldt County.
Once operational, Thacker Pass is expected to provide a strategic domestic supply of lithium and underpin growth in the US battery supply chain.
Highlighting the importance of reliable storage infrastructure, Lithium Americas executive vice-president Richard Gerspacher said: “CB&I’s expertise in large-scale storage infrastructure for complex industrial processes that require precise specifications, and reliability makes them a great fit for Thacker Pass.
“CB&I’s proven track record, global expertise, and experience with industrial storage solutions makes them an ideal partner for this critical infrastructure component to support North America’s largest lithium mining project.”
Bechtel, which is overseeing the full project delivery, welcomed CB&I’s role.
“CB&I is an example of the industry-leading contractors and suppliers that have joined the team delivering Thacker Pass,” said Bechtel deputy project director Dan Dawson.
“We welcome them to the project and look forward to seeing the tanks take shape as the plant comes together.”
When completed, the Thacker Pass project is expected to make a significant contribution to strengthening US energy independence by ensuring a scalable domestic supply of lithium, a mineral central to the clean energy transition.
