Piedmont Lithium (ASX:PLL) has received a Conditional Major Non-Title V Construction and Air Permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for its Tennessee Lithium Project in the US.
The $1.55 billion market capitalisation company now holds all the material permits required to begin construction at the project for a planned 30,000-metric-ton-per-year (tpy) lithium hydroxide manufacturing plant.
Piedmont says plans to lease and renovate local office spaces are developing, with the aim of supporting the revitalisation efforts of downtown Etowah, Tennessee.
In addition, workforce development activities have started, with local technical schools developing key training programs and curricula for specific positions.
The company anticipates hiring about 120 employees once the project becomes operational. This is expected to begin in H2 2023 and continue through 2026, which will support construction and prepare for commercial production.
Commenting on the permit, Piedmont Lithium President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Phillips says: “Tennessee Lithium is uniquely positioned in America’s emerging battery belt to supply the domestic market with crucial, made-in-America lithium resources.
Since announcing the selection of the site in McMinn County, Tennessee nearly 1 year ago, our team has been focused on permitting, engineering, and working with local officials to prepare for this project to support the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing supply chain.
“As demand for lithium hydroxide continues to soar in the US, this conversion facility will be key in the domestic effort to reduce reliance on foreign nations for lithium processing”
As demand for lithium hydroxide continues to soar in the US, this conversion facility will be key in the domestic effort to reduce reliance on foreign nations for lithium processing.”
The company notes that this permit marks an important step in developing the $800 million project, which will support bolstering the current US lithium hydroxide production capacity of about 17,000 tpy.
Piedmont Lithium is an integrated lithium company. The company has a portfolio of assets including the Carolina Lithium and Tennessee Lithium projects in the US, alongside partnerships in Quebec with Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA) and in Ghana with Atlantic Lithium (ASX:A11).
As of 31 March 2023, the company had US$167.249 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report published on 30 April 2023.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Piedmont Lithium Ltd
