Lithium Americas Corp. · NYSE:LAC
Lithium Americas — Investor Presentation (June 2018)
24 slides from Lithium Americas's investor presentation, June 2018
Slide 1: Investor Presentation June 2018
INVESTOR PRESENTATION JUNE 2018 Thacker Pass Project Nevada, USA
Slide 2: Cautionary Statement
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT Technical Information production; anticipated results of exploration and development activities; a cordial business Scientific and technical information in this presentation about the Caucharí-Olaroz Project and the relationship between Lithium Americas and SQM for the Caucharí-
Slide 3: Lithium Price
LITHIUM PRICE Since 2016 lithium prices have increase around 300% in China with contract prices for existing producers rising to over US$16,000/t China Lithium “Spot” Price (US$/tonne) Lithium Hydroxide (>56.5%) Lithium Carbonate (>99.5%) Existing producers reporting $30,000 average contract prices
Slide 4: Lithium Americas – Recent Achievements
LITHIUM AMERICAS – RECENT ACHEIVEMENTS Lithium Americas is advancing world-class lithium assets through a low-risk Vancouver path to production Toronto Thacker Pass Partnered with SQM in 50/50 JV 1 Reno • Partnered with largest lithium brine producer, SQM, in 50/50 JV (Minera Exar) to help build and
Slide 5: Capital Structure
CAPITAL STRUCTURE Lithium Americas commenced trading on NYSE under the symbol “LAC” in January 2018 Recent Share Price (TSX:LAC) $16.00 Symbol TSX / NYSE – LAC Shares Outstanding1 88.5 million Share Price (C$/sh) $12.00 52 Week Range C$3.90 - C$14.06 Share Price2 C$7.03 $8.00 Average Daily Volume3 0
Slide 6: The Management Team
THE MANAGEMENT TEAM Lithium Americas has assembled a highly qualified team with a focus on Argentina, lithium, engineering and capital markets Tom Hodgson, CEO John Kanellitsas, President Tom Hodgson, CEO • 30+ years experience in senior management roles John Kanellitsas, President • 25+ years of bu
Slide 7: Caucharí-Olaroz JV with SQM
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ JV WITH SQM In March 2016, Lithium Americas entered a strategic 50/50 JV with SQM to develop and operate the Caucharí-Olaroz project Leverages SQM’s technical expertise. SQM is the largest producer of lithium brines with over 20 years experience operating and expanding its world-clas
Slide 8: Strategic Investments by Ganfeng & Bangchak
STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS BY GANFENG & BANGCHAK In 2017, Ganfeng Lithium and Bangchak provided a total of US$285 million to Lithium Americas through a combination of credit and equity Ganfeng Lithium Bangchak Total Equity Investment US$47 million US$33 million US$80 million • LAC’s cash balance is US$44
Slide 9: Strong Support from Argentina and Jujuy Government
STRONG SUPPORT FROM ARGENTINA AND JUJUY GOVERNMENT In 2017, senior executives from Lithium Americas, SQM and Minera Exar met with senior officials from Argentina and Jujuy government to reaffirm commitment to support development of Caucharí-Olaroz Meeting with SQM, Lithium Americas and Minera Exar w
Slide 10: Caucharí-Olaroz Stage 1 Feasibility Study
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ STAGE 1 FEASIBILITY STUDY Stage 1 DFS Results (100% basis) March 2017 Average annual production 25,000 tpa battery-grade Li2CO3 Project life 40 years * Proven & probable reserves 1.5 million tonnes LCE at 698 mg/L Li Construction capital costs US$425 million (before VAT) Operating co
Slide 11: Caucharí-Olaroz Construction Schedule
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE H1 2017 H1 2018 2019 Started Stage 1 Started pond construction Plant construction development Detailed engineering for infrastructure 2017 2018 2019 2020 H2 2017 H2 2018 2020 Commenced detailed engineering Begin filing ponds Commissioning and Expansion of camp D
Slide 12: Thacker Pass Project
THACKER PASS PROJECT Advancing a scalable process to produce lithium compounds from lithium-bearing claystone. Thacker Pass • 100% owned by Lithium Nevada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. • Modern infrastructure • Located near the mining town of Winnemucca • Adjacent to paved hig
Slide 13: Thacker Pass Resource Update
THACKER PASS RESOURCE UPDATE April 2018 resource update establishes Thacker Pass as the largest known lithium resource in the United States • Located in the 16 million year-old McDermitt Caldera hosted in caldera lake sediments. • 2017 exploration program increased Measured and Indicated (M&I) resou
Slide 14: Thacker Pass Development Schedule
THACKER PASS DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE Drilling Project Site Process Testing Q4 2017 Q2 2018 Complete 2017 exploration Resource update program Complete PFS (including reserve estimate) 2017 2018 2019 Q1 2018 H2 2018 Finalize process testing Advance permitting process Initiate baseline Commence detailed e
Slide 15: Summary
SUMMARY ARGENTINA NEVADA 1 The next lithium producer from brine • Development work in support of 2020 2 Unlocking value in a large, clay- based resource in Nevada production start • Pursuing mine plan to produce lithium • 2017 DFS supports production at low-end of from claystone cost curve (US$2,495
Slide 16: Appendix
APPENDIX Lithium/Americasy,
Slide 17: The Board of Directors
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lithium Americas focus is on a low risk strategy to reach production GEORGE IRELAND and maximize shareholder value CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD • 35 years of experience in the resource sectors. • Founder, CIO, and PM at Geologic Resource Partners. Board with diverse industry experien
Slide 18: Argentina's Turn Around
ARGENTINA’S TURN AROUND Improved business conditions with President Macri • Abolished export duties and trade controls. Mauricio Macri • Eliminated exchange rate and capital controls. President of Argentina • Settled outstanding claims from 2003 default. • Fast-track process to join the Organization
Slide 19: Caucharí-Olaroz Lithium Project
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ LITHIUM PROJECT Caucharí-Olaroz is located on an international highway with access to power, water, and a large local labour force Located in Jujuy, Argentina • Large property package ~ 70,000 ha. • Close proximity to existing producers (ORE, FMC, SQM, ALB). Near excellent infrastruc
Slide 20: Caucharí-Olaroz Lithium Project (Cont.)
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ LITHIUM PROJECT (CONT.) Working closely with local communities • Economic benefits agreements with 6 local communities. • Emphasis on local employment. • Minera Exar Jujuy and field office staff ramping up. • Construction staff est. over 1,000 workers. • Close to 400 employees and co
Slide 21: Caucharí-Olaroz Conventional Process
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ CONVENTIONAL PROCESS Design by experience • SQM engineering staff developing design and execution planning. • Process is based on SQM’s +20 years experience operating in the Atacama. • Infrastructure and plant designed to be scaleable to a production capacity of 50,000 tpa of battery
Slide 22: Caucharí-Olaroz Stage 1 Opex & Capex
CAUCHARÍ-OLAROZ STAGE 1 OPEX & CAPEX Initial Capital Costs Operating Costs Transportation G&A 5% 3% Contingency US$55 MM Labour 7% Evaporation Total Indirect Ponds Cost US$129 MM US$37 MM Maintenance 8% Reagents 40% Infrastructure Other US$82 MM 9% Lithium Carbonate Plant Energy US$121 MM 14% Pond H
Slide 23: Lithium Resource and Reserve Summary
LITHIUM RESOURCE AND RESERVE SUMMARY Brine Volume (m3) Average Li Concentration (mg/L) Lithium Metal (t) LCE (000 t) Caucharí-Olaroz (100% basis) Mineral Reserves – March 2017 Proven Reserves (Years 1-5)1,2,3,4 4.9 x 107 712 35,159 187 Probable Reserves (Years 6-40) 1,2,3,4 3.5 x 108 695 246,474 1,3
Slide 24: The Future Is Clear
THE FUTURE IS CLEAR CONTACT INFORMATION info@lithiumamericas.com 1150 – 355 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8 Canada TSX: LAC JUNE 2018 | NYSE: LAC Hong Kong