CB&I wins $50–100M contract for 36 tanks at Thacker Pass lithium project, supporting U.S. supply chain and energy security.
CB&I has announced that it has secured a significant contract, valued between $50 million and $100 million, from Lithium Nevada LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. Under this agreement, CB&I will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, fabrication, and construction (EPFC) of 36 flat-bottom atmospheric storage tanks at the Thacker Pass project site.
Thacker Pass, located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada, is recognized as the world’s largest known measured and indicated lithium resource, as well as a proven and probable reserve. This large-scale project is being managed by Bechtel, which is serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contractor. As global demand for lithium continues to rise due to the rapid growth of electric vehicles and battery storage technologies, Thacker Pass is expected to become a cornerstone in strengthening U.S. energy security by reducing dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals.
Mark Butts, President and CEO of CB&I, expressed pride in being selected for the project. He highlighted that the Thacker Pass initiative represents a lithium development of national importance, one that will not only bolster the domestic supply of lithium but also generate numerous skilled jobs during both construction and operational phases. He emphasized CB&I’s long-standing expertise in tank design and construction, underscoring the company’s commitment to maintaining excellence while supporting such a critical infrastructure project.
The tanks designed and constructed by CB&I will serve multiple essential functions at the mine. They will be used for storing process solutions, chemicals, and intermediate products throughout the purification stages necessary for extracting lithium from clay deposits. Each tank will be built to meet strict environmental, seismic, and safety standards, ensuring both reliability and compliance with regulations. CB&I will apply its proprietary field construction methodologies and advanced fabrication technologies to deliver tanks that can withstand the rigorous demands of this complex industrial process.
Richard Gerspacher, Executive Vice President of Capital Projects at Lithium Americas, emphasized that CB&I’s proven expertise in large-scale storage solutions makes them an excellent partner for the Thacker Pass development. He noted that the company’s global experience and strong track record in delivering precision-engineered storage infrastructure align perfectly with the needs of North America’s largest lithium mining initiative.
Dan Dawson, Bechtel’s Deputy Project Director, welcomed CB&I to the project team. He stressed that CB&I exemplifies the type of world-class contractors and suppliers working together to bring Thacker Pass to life, and expressed anticipation for seeing the tanks take shape as part of the integrated plant.
CB&I remains the global leader in the design and construction of industrial storage facilities, tanks, and terminals, continuing its legacy of innovation and reliability in critical infrastructure projects worldwide.
