Lithium Americas Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
Key Terms
at-the-market ("ATM") equity program financial
embedded derivative financial
senior unsecured convertible notes financial
warrant financial
Capex financial
U.S. GAAP financial
(All amounts in US$ unless otherwise indicated)

Ironworkers installing structural steel on the second level of the Filter Building.
Jonathan Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Americas said, “Construction at Thacker Pass is accelerating toward mechanical completion in late 2027. There are now over 1,300 workers on site as of mid-May and over 2,000 expected at peak construction. In 2025, we emphasized de-risking project execution and made strategic decisions that have enabled us to focus on execution in 2026 – detailed engineering is almost complete, finances have been secured and global supply chain challenges are being well managed.”
Mr. Evans added, “At a moment when resilient domestic supply chains are more critical than ever, lithium stands out as a strategic resource underpinning both national security and a reliable energy future. We are grateful for the strong partnerships and support from leaders at the federal and state levels. Recent visits to Thacker Pass by
Q1 2026 AND SUBSEQUENT TO Q1 2026 HIGHLIGHTS
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As of March 31, 2026, the Company had approximately
total cash and restricted cash, including$1.2 billion at the Thacker Pass joint venture (“JV”) level.$529 million -
On January 26, 2026, the Company completed an at-the-market (“ATM”) equity program established on November 13, 2025 (the “November 2025 ATM Program”). The Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 43.3 million common shares at an average price of
per share pursuant to the November 2025 ATM Program, for aggregate net proceeds of$5.78 after sales agent’s commission and other expenses. Of these amounts, during Q1 2026, the Company issued and sold 32.5 million common shares at an average price of$246.7 million per share, for aggregate net proceeds of$5.92 after sales agent commission and other expenses.$189.7 million
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On February 24, 2026, the Company received its second advance on the
U.S. Department of Energy (the “DOE”) loan (“DOE Loan”) of .$432 million
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On March 19, 2026, the Company entered into an ATM equity program, pursuant to which the Company may sell its common shares, no par value, up to a maximum aggregate offering price of
(the “March 2026 ATM Program”). Use of net proceeds for the March 2026 ATM Program includes general corporate purposes, which may include funding of corporate and project overhead expenses, financing of capital expenditures, repayment of indebtedness and additions to working capital. As of March 31, 2026, the Company did not issue or sell any common shares nor receive any net proceeds pursuant to the March 2026 ATM Program. Subsequent to March 31, 2026, the Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 2.3 million common shares at an average price of$250 million per share pursuant to the March 2026 ATM Program, for aggregate net proceeds of$5.20 after sales agent commission and other expenses.$11.2 million
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As of May 13, 2026, the Company had 351,062,478 shares issued and outstanding.
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On January 26, 2026, the Company completed an at-the-market (“ATM”) equity program established on November 13, 2025 (the “November 2025 ATM Program”). The Company issued and sold an aggregate total of 43.3 million common shares at an average price of
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On January 30, 2026 (the “Issuance Date”), pursuant to the omnibus waiver, consent and amendment (as amended, the “OWCA”) entered into by the Company and the DOE on October 7, 2025, the Company issued to the DOE a warrant to purchase up to 18,268,687 common shares, which was equal to
5% of the Company’s outstanding total shares as of the Issuance Date, at an exercise price of per share (the “LAC Warrant”), exercisable for ten years from the Issuance Date, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and other terms set forth in the LAC Warrant. Additionally, the JV issued to the DOE a warrant to purchase 8,656,509,695 non-voting units of the JV, which was equal to a$0.01 5% economic interest in the JV as of the Issuance Date, at an exercise price of per unit (the “JV Warrant”), exercisable for ten years from the Issuance Date, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and other terms set forth in the JV Warrant.$0.0001
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The Company continues to progress major construction of the processing plant at Thacker Pass Phase 1, targeting mechanical completion in late 2027. As of March 31, 2026:
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A total of 2.43 million workhours completed at Thacker Pass without a serious injury or lost-time incident, and a total recordable incident frequency rate of 0.25.
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A total of
of construction capital costs and other project-related costs have been capitalized, of which$1.3 billion is part of the total capital expenditure (“Capex”) estimate of$1.1 billion per the Company’s Technical Report entitled “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Thacker Pass Project$2.93 billion Humboldt County, Nevada , USA,” effective December 31, 2024 (“Technical Report”). The Company continues to target a total capex range of to$1.3 billion for Thacker Pass Phase 1 for fiscal year 2026. See the Capital Expenditure and 2026 Capex Guidance section below for more details.$1.6 billion
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Detailed engineering design completed surpassed
95% , while procurement was over70% complete, including the shipment of major plant materials and equipment.
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There were approximately 1,065 personnel on site, expected to increase to over 2,000 in the second half of 2026.
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There were over 1,000 workers residing at the Company’s all-inclusive housing facility for construction workers in
Winnemucca (the “Workforce Hub” or “WFH”).
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A total of 2.43 million workhours completed at Thacker Pass without a serious injury or lost-time incident, and a total recordable incident frequency rate of 0.25.
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Long-lead equipment has been arriving to either Thacker Pass or the fabrication yard in
Winnemucca , including the 115KV Main Transformer, Auxiliary Boiler, Air Cooled Heat Exchangers, Fin Fan Cooler, Duplex Stack and Bicarbonate Reactors. Additional long-lead items that have started their delivery to site include the Thickener Steel and Shell Plates, Filter Presses, Steam Turbine Generator and SS Converter. Outstanding long-lead items are expected to be delivered throughout 2026, along with other equipment and construction materials.-
Over
75% of the structural steel for Thacker Pass, which is sourced from theUnited Arab Emirates , is in transit or has arrived on site at Thacker Pass or the laydown yard inWinnemucca . The Company and Bechtel have worked with the steel supplier to attempt to limit the effects of theMiddle East conflict, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, to minimize impacts on the fabrication and shipment of steel to Thacker Pass. Predominantly, the Company has successfully re-routed steel through the Port ofJeddah .
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Over
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Development milestones achieved to date at Thacker Pass include:
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The first cable pulls on the module pipe racks commenced in March 2026.
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Structural steel at the Filter Building progresses, with the second floor being installed.
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Installation of key equipment commenced at the following facilities: Bicarbonate Reactors for the Lithium Carbonate Crystallizer, Pillers for Magnesium Sulfate, Air Compressors and Conveyor Tail Pulley’s for the Filter Building, Thickener Steel and Shell Plants in the Countercurrent Decantation and Run-of-Mine areas, and Fin Fan Coolers and SS Converter for the Sulfuric Acid Plant.
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Given the advanced level of detailed engineering, the Company has commenced a definitive capital estimate, targeting completion in the second half of 2026. Advanced levels of engineering and procurement is expected to enable the team to estimate remaining quantities and materials with higher confidence. The Company will use current data to assess remaining labor needs and productivity rates for the estimate and will incorporate recent unexpected developments including the implications of tariffs, the
Middle East conflict impacts, fuel price increases and other inflationary increases that were not included in the total Capex estimate of per the Company’s Technical Report. The total Capex estimate of$2.93 billion did not include any exposure to tariffs. The Company estimates the total potential exposure to tariffs for Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs to be approximately$2.93 billion to$80 million , the majority of which is expected to be incurred during 2026.$120 million
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Work to enhance reliability for grid power from the local electric utility cooperative, by upgrading six regional substations and switching stations, was completed in March 2026, ahead of schedule.
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The first cable pulls on the module pipe racks commenced in March 2026.
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Construction at the Company’s Transload Terminal (“TLT”) west of
Winnemucca commenced in March 2026, with completion targeted in 2027 to align with start up at Thacker Pass. The TLT is approximately 60 miles from Thacker Pass, adjacent to the rail line, and is intended to support operations by serving as a critical logistics hub for the Project’s reagents.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND 2026 CAPEX GUIDANCE
As of March 31, 2026, a total of
The table below summarizes Capex during the quarter ended March 31, 2026, cumulative Capex to March 31, 2026, as well as the Company’s 2026 Capex guidance.
(US$) |
For the quarter
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Cumulative to
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Fiscal Year 2026
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Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs included in the total |
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|
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Other capitalized development costs for Thacker Pass(3) |
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|
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Capitalized interest, including the Orion Note and DOE Loan |
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|
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Total |
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|
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Capex Notes:
(1) |
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs cumulative to March 31, 2026 and those estimated for fiscal year 2026 do not include |
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|
|
|
(2) |
Thacker Pass Phase 1 construction costs as of March 31, 2026, and those estimated for 2026, include actual tariffs incurred (through March 31, 2026) and estimated tariff exposure, primarily for equipment and construction materials sourced from |
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|
|
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(3) |
Other capitalized development costs are required to be capitalized under |
FINANCIALS
Selected consolidated financial information is presented as follows:
(in US$ million except per share information) |
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Three months ended March 31, |
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2026 |
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2025 |
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$ |
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$ |
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Operating expenses |
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|
11.1 |
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|
|
6.5 |
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Net income (loss) |
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|
4.6 |
|
|
|
(11.5 |
) |
Net loss per share – basic and diluted - attributable to common stockholders |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
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(in US$ millions) |
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As at March 31, 2026 |
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As at December 31, 2025 |
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||
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$ |
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$ |
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||
Cash and restricted cash |
|
|
1,207.6 |
|
|
|
905.6 |
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Total assets |
|
|
3,112.7 |
|
|
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2,579.0 |
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Total long-term liabilities |
|
|
1,071.1 |
|
|
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815.6 |
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During the three months ended March 31, 2026, net income increased to
At March 31, 2026, total assets increased from December 31, 2025, as a result of cash raised as part of the Company’s ATM equity programs as well as restricted cash received from the Company’s second draw on the DOE Loan. Total assets also increased as a result of additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment from the continued development of Thacker Pass.
At March 31, 2026, the increase in total long-term liabilities was mainly attributable to a
This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, available on the Company’s issuer profile on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company’s website at www.lithiumamericas.com.
ABOUT LITHIUM AMERICAS
Lithium Americas is building Thacker Pass located in
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Rene LeBlanc, PhD, SME, Vice President, Commercial and Product Strategy of the Company, and a “qualified person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements” (“FLS”)). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are FLS and can be identified by the use of statements that include, but are not limited to, words, such as “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “predict,” “proposes,” “potential,” “target,” “implement,” “schedule,” “forecast,” “intend,” “would,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe” and similar terminology, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. FLS in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements relating to the anticipated sources and uses of funds to complete project financing; statements relating to the JV and the DOE Loan, the strategic investment from Orion for the development and construction of the Thacker Pass, the LAC Warrant and the JV Warrant, including statements regarding satisfaction of draw down conditions on the DOE Loan expectations about the extent to which the JV Transaction, the DOE Loan, including any amendments thereto, the investment from Orion, the LAC Warrant, the JV Warrant and cash on hand would fund the development and construction of Thacker Pass on schedule or at all; project de-risking initiatives and the extent to which work to date has de-risked project execution; the expected operations, financial results and condition of the Company; expectations related to the construction build, job creation and nameplate capacity of Thacker Pass as well as other statements with respect to the Company’s future objectives and strategies to achieve these objectives, including the future prospects of the Company; the estimated cash flow, capitalization and adequacy thereof for the Company; the estimated costs of the development of Thacker Pass, including timing, progress, approach, continuity or change in plans, construction, commissioning, expected milestones, anticipated production and results thereof and expansion plans; cost and expected benefits of the transloading terminal; cost and expected benefit of the limestone quarry; anticipated timing to resolve, and the expected outcome of, any complaints or claims made or that could be made concerning the permitting process in the
FLS involves known and unknown risks, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially. FLS reflects the Company’s current views about future events, and while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that they will accurately reflect actual results. Assumptions and other factors upon which such FLS is based include, without limitation: expectations regarding Phase 2 of Thacker Pass, including financing, and the absence of material adverse events affecting the Company during this time; the ability of the Company to perform conditions and meet expectations regarding the Company’s financial resources and future prospects; the ability to meet future objectives, priorities and anticipated milestones; a cordial business relationship between the Company and third-party strategic and contractual partners; the risk of general business and economic uncertainties and adverse market conditions; confidence that development, construction and operations at Thacker Pass will proceed as anticipated, including the impact of potential supply chain disturbances including but not limited to product availability, customs delays and potential shipping disruptions, especially with respect to steel, and the availability of equipment, labor and facilities necessary to complete development and construction of Thacker Pass and produce battery grade lithium; unforeseen technological, equipment and engineering problems; changes in general economic and geopolitical conditions, including as a result of regulatory changes by the current
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. There can be no assurance that FLS will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information, and that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment purposes. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in any FLS as a result of the risk factors described under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260514324830/en/
INVESTOR CONTACT
Virginia Morgan
Vice President, Investor Relations and ESG
+1-778-726-4070
ir@lithiumamericas.com
Source: Lithium Americas Corp.