Name of the Project
Piedmont lithium hydroxide chemical project.

Location
The project is located in North Carolina, in the US.

Project Owner/s
Piedmont Lithium.

Project Description
A new scoping study has demonstrated the project’s strong commercial potential.

The project has mineral resources estimated at 27.9-million tonnes grading 1.11% lithium oxide, compared with 16.2-million tonnes grading 1.12% in the 2018 scoping study.

The 2019 study includes a steady-state 22 700 t/y lithium hydroxide chemicals plant, supported by a mine/concentrator producing 160 000 t/y of 6% lithium oxide spodumene concentrate. Quartz, feldspar and mica by-products will provide credits for the cost of lithium production.

The project’s mine life has increased from 13 years in the 2018 scoping study to 25 years in the 2019 scoping study.

The chemicals plant has a life of 23 years.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The current scoping study estimates an after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $1.45-billion and an internal rate of return of 34%.

The payback for the mine/concentrator is estimated at 2.4 years and the chemicals plant 2.4 years.

The 2018 scoping study estimated after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $888-million and an internal rate of return of 46%.

Capital Expenditure
The current scoping study estimates initial capital expenditure at $168-million, compared with $130-million in the 2018 scoping study.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Piedmont plans to continue Phase 4 drilling at the project and expanding its land position in the tin-spodumene belt; secure the necessary permit and approvals for the mine/concentrator; start metallurgical testwork for the production of lithium hydroxide from Piedmont spodumene concentrate; accelerate the development of the company’s proposed lithium hydroxide chemical plant; start a detailed market study of the US quartz, feldspar and mica markets; and formalise its dialogue with several prospective strategic, technical and offtake partners.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Primero Group (process engineering and infrastructure); SGS Lakefield (metallurgical testwork); Marshall Miller and Associates (mine design and scheduling); CSA Global (resource estimation); HDR Engineering (permitting, environment, and social studies); Johnston, Allison, and Hord (land title and legal); Roskill (lithium products marketability); and CSA Global (by-products marketability).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Piedmont Lithium, tel +61 8 9322 6322 or email info@piedmontlithium.com.