The deal is centered on the development, construction and operation of a lithium carbonite mining operation called Thacker Pass in Humboldt County, Nevada.

GM is aiming to source more of its raw materials for electric vehicles from the U.S, to manage battery cell costs and decrease its reliance on imported materials.

General Motors Inc will commit $625 million toward what’s likely to be one of the biggest US lithium mines, reinforcing the automaker’s efforts to secure domestic supply of the battery metal critical for electric vehicles.

Canadian miner Lithium Americas said on Wednesday General Motors will contribute $625 million to their new joint venture for developing the Thacker Pass project in Nevada. U.S. automakers are ramping up their output of EVs and hybrids and aiming to reduce their reliance on China for battery-related materials in a competitive market.

General Motors (GM) is increasing its investment in a Nevada lithium mine and its operator to almost $1 billion as it looks to secure a long-term supply of a critical mineral for electric vehicle batteries.

The deal is centered on the development, construction and operation of a lithium carbonite mining operation called Thacker Pass in Humboldt County, Nevada.