For over a decade Lithium Nevada has been working to start mining for lithium in Orovada, NV and the project is making tangible progress in construction, addressing housing needs for workers, and fulfilling their promises to be a part of the community.
Lithium Nevada Vice President of Government & Community Relations Tim Crowley said during a phone call that the early construction on the mine site revolves around building permanent water lines to replace temporary sources used for dust control on site and preparing for the large workforce of construction workers to come in.
“We’re moving forward, but one of the things that we really need to increase our workforce is housing. So we’re moving forward on a workforce hub and we’ve purchased the land for that and we’re actually doing work on that site right now,” explained Crowley.
According to Crowley, Lithium will be offering perks to employees, like housing located in East Winnemucca near Winger’s Restaurant, as well as three meals a day and busing to Orovada for every employee.
Also in Winnemucca, Lithium Nev. is also working on constructing a new office space for the locally based team which currently operates out of a space on West First Street.
“A new office is currently under construction across the street that will add 3,700 more square feet for the Lithium Americas team. That space is expected to be completed by October, at which point we’ll move in,” explained Crowley in an email.
Work to finalize a lease with the City of Winnemucca for a transloading facility located near the Winnemucca Municipal Airport that will be necessary for importing the materials needed for the mine is underway as well as securing financing from the Department of Energy.
“We need to finalize the lease on the transloading facility and that’s coming up… Then we need to get going on construction for the transloading facility. We have to finish up our financing for the whole project so we’re working with the Department of Energy on a loan as well,” said Crowley.
Lithium Nevada is also working on fulfilling previous commitments to build a new school in Orovada at a site chosen by the community to alleviate many of the traffic congestion concerns that the mine site will create near the current school’s location.
Although the new school project is behind schedule, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has completed the National Environmental Policy Act process and published their findings to the Federal Register, which is necessary in order to convey the 40 acre parcel to the Humboldt County School District.
The original goal was that the school would be completed in 2024, but conveyance has taken longer than anticipated. Crowley said “The odds aren’t that good [that it will be completed by then] but that is still our goal.”
Improvements to the intersection at State Route 293 and Highway 95 near the mine site have also been completed recently which will improve road safety for locals, travelers, and Lithium employees. The increased traffic from the mine site has been a major concern to the Orovada community and was a major proponent in the site selection for the new school.
Crowley explained that Lithium Americas Corp. is currently undergoing a split in shareholders as well, with North American operations separating from those in Argentina. Crowley said that this will allow more focus on fulfilling a domestic demand for lithium and ensure that Lithium Nevada can deliver.
“It’s a really exciting time because we’ve been working at this for well over a decade and we’re now doing material work on the ground and it’s fulfilling to see that all of our hard work coming to fruition,” said Crowley.