Does Catherine Cortez Masto support a lithium mine 'with ties to China'?
By Todd Butterworth
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YES
Nevada U.S. Senator Cortez Masto, a Democrat, has expressed the desire to protect and expand mining in Nevada, including Thacker Pass. The mine is owned by Lithium Americas, a Canadian company that is 71% owned by North American shareholders. According to the company's October 2022 report, the Chinese company Ganfeng Lithium holds 11.1% the company’s shares and has one of 12 seats on its board of directors.
Thacker Pass has seen significant exploration since 2007 and the state approved its development in February 2022. At full capacity it could produce 66,000 tons of lithium annually, equivalent to 25% of the 2021 global demand for lithium, which is expected to triple by 2026.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Washington Examiner Trump-approved Nevada lithium mine could unlock Biden clean energy goals
Lithium Americas Corporate Presentation | October 2022
Reno Gazette Journal Judge rejects tribes' efforts to halt digging at Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada
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