Building a Domestic Lithium Supply Chain
ABB has partnered with Lithium Americas to electrify the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, home to North America’s largest lithium resource. The project aims to produce 40,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate annually, enough for batteries in 800,000 electric vehicles. This initiative strengthens the US lithium supply chain and supports the growing demand for EVs and energy storage. Moreover, it demonstrates how industrial automation and control systems can transform traditionally hard-to-abate sectors like mining.
Electrification and Digital Integration with Control Systems
ABB will deploy its eMine portfolio, integrating switchgear, motor control centers, variable speed drives, and auxiliary power distribution. A site-wide power management system will connect to ABB’s digital platforms, enabling real-time monitoring of energy use, asset health, and operational productivity. In addition, modular electrical buildings will house PLC and DCS technologies, engineered for reliability in remote environments. This approach ensures factory automation principles are applied directly to mining operations, reducing downtime and improving efficiency.
Advancing Sustainable Mining Through Automation
The collaboration sets a new benchmark for sustainable mining by embedding electrification and automation from the start. ABB’s technologies will help reduce carbon emissions while maintaining productivity. As a result, Thacker Pass becomes a blueprint for future mining projects that combine industrial automation with environmental responsibility. From my perspective, this strategy reflects a broader industry trend: integrating automation, digital twins, and smart control systems to achieve both efficiency and sustainability. Companies that adopt such solutions early gain competitive advantages in cost control and regulatory compliance.
Application Scenarios
ABB’s electrification strategy can be applied across multiple industries. For example:
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Mining operations: Deploying modular electrical buildings with integrated PLC/DCS systems.
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Factory automation: Using digital platforms to monitor energy consumption and optimize production.
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Energy storage facilities: Leveraging automation to balance grid demand and improve reliability.
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Process industries: Applying advanced control systems to reduce emissions and enhance safety.