Michael Brown is head of that Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development.  He has a mining background for sure... see the following quote from 28 October 2019 about his appointment:

"Gov. Steve Sisolak has tapped a former mining company executive to lead the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Sisolak on Monday announced Michael Brown, ex-president of Barrick Gold USA and current head of the state’s department of Business and Industry, as permanent director of the office charged with attracting new business to the Silver State. "  This comes from the Reno Gazette Journal.

It was the GOED that approved tax abatements for Thacker Pass: "

GOED Approves Tax Abatements for Companies

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board of Directors has approved abatements for Lithium Nevada Corp. and Google that are expected to result in $1.1 billion in investments, the creation of 163 permanent jobs and 5,300 construction jobs. Google was approved for a 2 percent sales tax abatement for 20 years, worth approximately $16.8 million and a 75 percent personal property tax abatement for 20 years, worth approximately $8.25 million. Lithium received a 2 percent sales tax abatement for two years, worth $5 million, a 50 percent modified business tax abatement for four years, worth just over $220,000 and a 50 percent personal property tax abatement for 10 years, worth $3.38 million."    This was from 1 October 2020, the Nevada Business Magazine.