锂业巨头大涨！美国政府，又有大动作？

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government has agreed to acquire shares in Lithium Americas to support the development of the Thacker Pass lithium mine project in Nevada, which is crucial for the domestic critical minerals supply chain [5][6]. Group 1: Stock Market Reaction - Following the announcement, Lithium Americas' stock price surged over 40% in after-hours trading, later stabilizing around a 35% increase. By the morning of October 1, the stock had risen more than 30% [2]. Group 2: Government Involvement - The U.S. Department of Energy, led by Secretary Chris Wright, is negotiating to acquire a 10% stake in Lithium Americas, which is seen as a significant move to secure rights to the largest lithium mine in the U.S. [5][6]. - The government is also renegotiating a $2.26 billion loan agreement with Lithium Americas as part of this investment strategy [5]. Group 3: Thacker Pass Lithium Mine - The Thacker Pass lithium mine is noted for having the largest known lithium resources and reserves globally, supporting the development of the northern Nevada lithium mining area. The project commenced construction in March 2023 and aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 160,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate in five phases [7]. - The first phase is expected to produce 40,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually, sufficient for 800,000 electric vehicles. Lithium Americas holds a 62% stake in the project, while General Motors owns 38% and has a 20-year purchase agreement for the output [8]. Group 4: Broader Government Investment Strategy - The U.S. government has been actively acquiring stakes in various companies to bolster its domestic supply chains. Recent examples include a $400 million investment in MP Materials, the only rare earth miner in the U.S., and an $8.9 billion investment in Intel to support the semiconductor industry [10][11].