ABB's Crucial Role in Fortifying the US Lithium Supply Chain

Lithium Americas has named ABB its electrification partner for the Thacker Pass mining project in Nevada, in a move designed to strengthen the North American electric vehicle supply chain.

The site sits on the continent's largest known lithium resource and the collaboration is a key step towards establishing a domestic source of this critical battery material as demand continues to rise.

The project is targeting an annual output of 40,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate, which is sufficient to produce batteries for approximately 800,000 electric vehicles each year. This could reduce reliance on imported materials and fortify the regional manufacturing ecosystem.

The partnership will see ABB implement a comprehensive portfolio of its electrification technologies to power the new mine from the ground up.

The domestic lithium supply chain

The Thacker Pass project is central to efforts to build a resilient lithium supply chain within the US. As the adoption of electric vehicles and energy storage systems accelerates, a stable domestic source of lithium becomes a matter of strategic importance.

The facility aims to integrate efficiency and sustainability protocols from the beginning of its operational life rather than retrofitting these systems at a later date.

"This collaboration with ABB marks an important milestone in our journey to safely and responsibly produce lithium from Thacker Pass," says Richard Gerspacher, EVP Capital Projects at Lithium Americas.

"ABB's technology and expertise will support our efforts to deliver lithium for the US market, creating economic benefits for American workers, companies and communities."

Integrating electrification

Mining is frequently classified as a 'hard-to-abate' industry, meaning that implementing electrification and sustainable practices can be more complex than in other sectors. The approach at Thacker Pass involves integrating advanced electrical and digital systems from the outset.

If the project proves successful, it could provide a viable model for future mining operations.

ABB will supply and integrate a wide range of technologies within purpose-built electrical buildings designed for demanding field environments, including: 

• Switchgear and motor control centres
• Variable speed drives
• Auxiliary power distribution packages
• A site-wide power management system

These systems will be connected to ABB's digital platforms which enable the monitoring of energy consumption, asset health and operational productivity. This integration is designed to enhance reliability and uptime, which are critical for maintaining a consistent supply of lithium to the market.

ABB is set to work with Lithium Americas and its construction management partner Bechtel across the full project lifecycle.

A blueprint for sustainable mining

The collaboration aligns with ABB's eMine portfolio which supports the transition to all-electric mining through integrated electrification, automation and digital systems.

The technologies are engineered for durability and performance in remote locations where maintenance access might be limited, helping to ensure continuous operations.

Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining & Materials at ABB Process Industries, sees the project as "a blueprint for the future of mining – electrically and digitally optimised."

The initiative showcases how modern mining can be developed with sustainability at its core.

"We're proud to support Lithium Americas in building a resilient lithium supply chain for energy independence," Björn adds.

The project represents a key test for integrating large-scale electrification from the start of a mine's life, a move that could help mining companies meet emissions targets while scaling production to meet the growing demand for battery materials.