GM would supplant China's Ganfeng Lithium(002460.SZ) to become Lithium Americas' largest shareholder. GM has also agreed to buy all the lithium from Thacker Pass when it opens in 2026 - roughly 40,000 tonnes per year.

Under the agreement, GM will buy $650 million of shares in Lithium Americas in two equal parts, with the first tranche coming only if Lithium Americas prevails in an ongoing court case. A U.S. judge earlier this month said she would rule "in the next couple of months" in the case, which centers on whether former U.S. President Donald Trump erred when he approved the mine just before leaving office in 2021.

Eoin Treacy's view

The automotive industry appears to be getting back to its roots. Fifty years ago it was common for bid industrials to control mines, processing, fabrication and manufacturing in a vertically integrated business model. The 1970s ushered in offshoring and just in time manufacturing and inventory was suddenly considering a balance sheet liability. In the aftermath of the pandemic and now war in Ukraine, the merits of controlling the supply chain are being viewed with fresh perspective.

Lithium America’s is in the process of splitting off its income producing Argentinean assets from its US project. That will create a US focused company that will be eligible for government funding. In the meantime, the significant investment from GM ensures the mine will be built regardless of whether the US government directly provides funds.
The share is rebounding emphatically from the region of the 1000-day MA.