The Department of Energy has awarded a $57 million contract to American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), an integrated critical battery materials company, for a multi-year project to design, construct, and operate a commercial-scale lithium hydroxide manufacturing facility in Tonopah, Nevada.
The project involves several partners, including DuPont Water Solutions, the University of Nevada, Reno, and the Argonne National Laboratory, who will support the facility’s commercialization for the manufacturing of low-cost, low-environmental impact critical battery minerals. ABTC has also tapped the global construction firm Black & Veatch for the engineering, procurement, and construction of its commercial-scale lithium hydroxide refinery.
"I'm proud to support the Nevada businesses and workers who are mining, processing, and recycling the critical minerals necessary to grow our clean energy economy," said U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto of Nevada. "This program will deliver funding to create new jobs in our state, bolster our lithium supply chain, and help drive our sustainable future."
ABTC’s efforts to secure a sustainable, domestic supply of battery-grade lithium hydroxide will also help develop local permanent jobs, improve infrastructure, and provide educational opportunities. The project is projected to create over 150 new skilled regional jobs and foster local community-driven betterment through a micro-grants program.
"This project is an exciting opportunity for the American Battery Technology Company and our entire state," said Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. "Not only does this project represent a milestone in our efforts to diversify our state's economy, but it highlights how companies are leading the way in new technology and innovation right here in Nevada."
