Piedmont Lithium project ‘promising’ despite Carolina review

It’s no secret that Piedmont Lithium is hoping to build one of the largest lithium mines in the United States. As expected, demand for lithium is on the rise, so, naturally, the company is striving to ensure its ability to meet the increasing global requirements for the metal as the mining industry paves the way for a new age of electric vehicles. 

Piedmont’s North Carolina operation is currently under a 60-day review period as Gaston County conducts due diligence on the project, which hopes to supply lithium to EV titan Tesla. Introduced by the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, the moratorium allows time for the county to establish the current industry regulations and the project’s potential impact on future operations. Parallel to the review, Piedmont will submit a North Carolina mining permit and conduct and publish a feasibility study before the end of the year. 

Piedmont welcomes review as the company plans to progress with mining plans

“We would like to thank the Gaston County Board of Commissioners for their leadership in creating this framework and review structure where the county and company can move forward together,” says Keith Phillips, CEO of Piedmont Lithium.

“We wholeheartedly agree that it’s important for the commissioners to have the time to review existing state and county regulations and how they may apply to plans for the Carolina Lithium Project. 

“We note that the counsel representing the country made clear in a statement during the special meeting that Gaston County supports economic growth and development and that the resolution is not intended to stop mining but rather to give the county time to perform their due diligence.”

Targets high as lithium prospects stimulate optimism 

Piedmont has already expressed its ambitious targets of becoming one of the main global suppliers of lithium, thereby establishing the county within an ever-growing supply chain. It’s expected that the 20-year Carolina Lithium Project will produce around 30,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide every year, generating 500 jobs in the process. But it's the location of the mine, situated in the Carolina Tin Spodumene Belt, that may prove to be the project’s biggest asset, teasing the potential to be the world’s lowest-cost producer of lithium hydroxide. 

“We look forward to engaging with the commissioners and the broader community regarding our commitment to environmental stewardship and economic prosperity for the county as we work to advance the United States supply chain for a low-carbon economy,” says Phillips, clearly welcoming and respecting the review period.