Lithium Americas Provides Cauchari-Olaroz Development Update
July 5, 2017
Lithium Americas Provides Cauchari-Olaroz Development Update
Vancouver, Canada: Lithium Americas Corp. ("Lithium Americas" or the "Company") (TSX: LAC)
(OTCQX: LACDF) is pleased to provide an update on the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project ("Cauchari-
Olaroz" or the “Project”) in the Province of Jujuy, Argentina. Cauchari-Olaroz is 100%-owned by Minera
Exar S.A. (“Minera Exar”), a 50/50 joint venture company between Lithium Americas and Sociedad
Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (“SQM”).
On Thursday, June 29, 2017, senior executives from Minera Exar, Lithium Americas and SQM attended a
meeting in Buenos Aires with government officials from Argentina, including the President of Argentina,
Mauricio Macri, and the Governor of the Province of Jujuy, Gerardo Morales. All parties reaffirmed their
commitment to support the development of Cauchari-Olaroz.
Gabriel Rubacha, Lithium Americas’ President of South American Operations, commented: “We are
receiving full support from the Federal and Provincial governments, and we are very pleased with the
progress we are making on the development of the project. There are over 100 people on site today and
the Minera Exar organization is growing with the recent recruitment of additional executive level
personnel. Minera Exar is proceeding with the development of the project and progressing with the early
construction activities following a timeline target of being in production by 2019."
Patricio De Solminihac, CEO of SQM, commented: “We were pleased to meet with Mr. Macri and Mr.
Morales to discuss the importance of Cauchari-Olaroz, and the shared responsibility and mutual benefits
of investment and timely execution of development. We shared with the President our plans for capital
investment and employment, and the construction timeline to achieve our production targets. SQM is
firmly committed to the advancement of the project and to the success of Jujuy-based Minera Exar.”
From left: Mr. John Kanellitsas, President and Vice Chairman of Lithium Americas; Mr. Pablo Altimiras, Vice President Development
and Planning of SQM; Mr. Patricio de Solminihac, CEO of SQM; Mr. Gabriel Rubacha, President of South American Operations of
Lithium Americas; Mr. Franco Mignacco, CEO of Minera Exar; Mr. Pablo Tarantini, COO of InvestArgentina; Mr. Daniel Meilan,
Secretary of Mining of Argentina; Mr. Francisco Cabrera, Minister of Production of Argentina; Mr. Mauricio Macri, President of
Argentina; Mr. Gerardo Morales, Governor of the Province of Jujuy; Mr. Juan Carlos Abud Robles, Minister of Economic
Development and Production of the Province of Jujuy.
Project Update:
• Increased activity at site. Development activity currently ongoing includes: the campsite
construction, additional hydrological tests, drilling campaigns and testing pond liner materials at
site.
• Engineering and procurement on-going. We are developing the detailed design as well as
working with the evaluation of the first construction packages.
• Development schedule remains on track. The construction of the first stage of 25,000 tonnes
per annum of lithium carbonate production capacity is expected to be completed in 2019.
• Strong support from Argentine government. The Environmental Impacts Report for
Exploitation (“EIS”) issued in 2012 is in the process of being updated. In March 2017, the
provincial government of Jujuy reaffirmed in a letter that the EIS issued in 2012 is still valid and
states that “…construction may commence on the necessary infrastructure approved in this
permit, without prejudice to future adaptations and updates that the mining operator performs with
respect to the mining project, which are subject to the analysis of this authority.”
• Over 100 employees in Argentina. Minera Exar currently employs over 100 personnel in
Argentina with recruiting for additional staff and executives ongoing. Total direct employment
during the two-year construction period is expected to total over 1,000 people.
Financing Update:
To fund Lithium Americas’ share of Cauchari-Olaroz capital costs, on June 7, 2017, Lithium Americas
closed on the strategic financing with GFL International Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangxi
Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. (“Ganfeng Lithium”) agreeing to provide US$172 million in financing. With
respect to the second financing of approximately US$112 million from BCP Innovation Pte Ltd., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Bangchak Corporation Public Company Ltd. (“Bangchak”), closing is expected to
occur around mid-July.
As part of the Bangchak strategic financing, Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Bangchak’s President and CEO,
has been included in the management slate for the Board of Directors to be elected at the Company’s
upcoming AGM on August 14, 2017.
About Lithium Americas
Lithium Americas, together with SQM, is developing the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project, located in Jujuy,
Argentina, through its 50% interest in Minera Exar. In addition, Lithium Americas owns 100% of the
Lithium Nevada project (formerly Kings Valley project), and RheoMinerals Inc., a supplier of rheology
modifiers for oil-based drilling fluids, coatings, and specialty chemicals.
For further information contact:
Lithium Americas Corp.
Investor Relations
Suite 1100 – 355 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, V6C 2G8
Telephone: 778-656-5820
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.lithiumamericas.com
Forward-looking statements
Statements in this release that are forward-looking information are subject to various risks and
uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in the Company's periodic
filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking information in this news release includes : (i)
the timing for completion of the Stage 1 development of the Cauchari-Olaroz project; (ii) timing for an
updated EIS at the project; (iii) the timing to commence production on the project; and (iv) the anticipated
date for closing of the Bangchak financing. When used in this document, the words such as “intent”,
“target”, “expect”, “estimated” and “scheduled” and similar expressions represent forward-looking
information. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all
available material information.
All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses
made by Lithium Americas management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends,
current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are
appropriate in the circumstances, including in the case of the credit agreement with Ganfeng, the
implementation of the agreed security interest structure and satisfaction of other customary conditions to
first draw-down. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-
looking information or statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these
forward-looking statements include those described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Lithium
Americas’ most recently filed Annual Information Form and other continuous disclosure filings. The
Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking
information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.