The U.S. Department of Energy has taken a 5% stake in Lithium Americas and a separate 5% stake in the company's Thacker Pass joint venture with General Motors that is set to be the largest lithium source in the Western Hemisphere.

The deal, announced by Lithium Americas, marks the latest private sector investment by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. It follows U.S. government acquisitions in Intel and MP Materials, as the government attempts to boost industries it considers vital to U.S. national security.

U.S.-listed shares in Lithium Americas jumped 32% to $7.51 in premarket trading on Wednesday.

Last week, Reuters reported that administration officials were in discussions with Lithium Americas about an equity stake as they renegotiated the terms of a $2.26 billion gov

See Full Page