American Battery Technology Company, an integrated critical materials company focused on battery mineral development and lithium-ion battery recycling, announced that its Tonopah Lithium Flats Project (TFLP) has been selected as a Transparency Priority Project by the US Federal Permitting Council.
This designation acknowledges the project’s pivotal role in expanding domestic lithium supply, which is crucial for the energy transition and the electrification of the transportation sector.
The project has been added to the FAST-41 Federal Permitting Dashboard, reflecting its national significance. Located in central Nevada, the TFLP encompasses one of the largest identified claystone lithium resource deposits in the US.
Lithium extracted from this site will support the production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), grid storage, and other advanced technologies.
The designation aims to enhance coordination among federal agencies involved in permitting activities and increase transparency for stakeholders. The TFLP is situated on land managed by the US Department of the Interior and has received prior support from the US Department of Energy, including a $58 million grant for the construction of its first-phase commercial facility. A Letter of Interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for $900 million in financing has also been issued to support further project expansion.
In 2024, the company published its amended Initial Assessment, confirming the Tonopah site as one of the country’s largest known lithium resources. Pilot-scale operations have already demonstrated the ability to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide from locally sourced claystone using proprietary extraction technologies. The commercial-scale refinery is expected to produce up to 30,000 metric tons annually.
The facility’s development is aligned with broader federal initiatives to reduce reliance on foreign-sourced critical minerals, particularly from China, and to establish a resilient, domestic supply chain for EV battery production. Unlike traditional feedstocks such as spodumene or brines, claystone represents an unconventional but increasingly important source of lithium for American manufacturers.
The Tonopah Flats Lithium Project is being developed in partnership with global engineering firm Black & Veatch and includes a progressive land rehabilitation plan. Total investment in the site exceeds $200 million, including original construction and recent upgrades.
The project supports key goals of the US energy and transportation policy framework: securing critical materials, strengthening EV supply chains, and accelerating the domestic production of battery-grade materials for transportation electrification.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News