UPDATE 1-Lithium Americas in talks with US Energy Dept to secure over $1 bln loan – source

Lithium Americas is in talks with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to secure more than $1 billion loan for the Canadian miner's Nevada project, according to a source familiar with the matter. Lithium Americas and the DOE did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The mine has the potential to be North America's largest source of lithium for electric vehicle batteries and would bolster U.S. President Joe Biden's efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese supplies for the metal.