Powering the U.S. Electric Vehicle Revolution
from Gaston County, North Carolina
The growing demand for electric vehicles is driving the future of America’s energy security. More electric vehicles on roadways means more lithium-ion batteries to power them. Today, China produces about 72% of the world’s lithium hydroxide, while the United States only produces approximately 5% of the global supply.1
As America races to develop a robust, domestic battery supply chain, the team at Piedmont Lithium is charging ahead to become a leading producer of domestic lithium hydroxide. With a powerful purpose, we are working to develop our global lithium business to support the planet’s decarbonization, U.S. energy independence, and North Carolina’s growing electrification economy.
We’re proud to call Gaston County, North Carolina home to our corporate headquarters and proposed Carolina Lithium project. Through Carolina Lithium, we aim to significantly increase the current American production capacity of lithium hydroxide, while operating as one of the world’s most sustainable projects of its kind.
1 Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Carolina Lithium:
Our Proposed, Multi-phase, Fully Integrated Operation
Carolina Lithium is being designed as a multi-phase, fully integrated lithium project in Gaston County, North Carolina, with mining, spodumene concentrate production, and lithium hydroxide conversion being designed as Phase 1 and a second lithium hydroxide train being designed as Phase 2. We expect Carolina Lithium to be one of the world’s only fully integrated lithium sites and among the most sustainable lithium hydroxide operations of its kind.
At full production, Carolina Lithium is expected to produce 30,000 metric tons per year of lithium hydroxide per conversion train for a total of 60,000 metric tons annually. This capacity would provide a fourfold increase to the current domestic production of approximately 20,000 metric tons1 annually and greatly contribute to U.S. energy security.
Our expected annual production volume is enough to supply 1.2 million electric vehicle batteries per year2 to help drive the electrification of transportation.
In May 2024, we received the finalized mining permit for the construction, operation, and reclamation of Carolina Lithium following the posting of a $1 million reclamation bond to the state of North Carolina. Receipt of the mining permit has allowed us to actively engage with potential strategic partners interested in a project-level funding investment.
We are contemplating the timing of the local rezoning process, which is dependent upon the project funding strategy, potential partnerships, and lithium market dynamics. Construction would follow, subject to obtaining
the remaining necessary material permits, including our air and wastewater permits, as well as rezoning approvals and project financing activities.
1 Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
2 Based on 50 KWh per vehicle as forecasted by Rho Motion
Estimated Project Timeline
2024: Permitting and Rezoning
2025: Construction
2027: First Production
1 Subject to permitting, approvals, and financing
Producing Lithium Hydroxide:
A Three-Step Process
At Carolina Lithium, we plan to produce lithium hydroxide through a three-step process that begins with mining the rock that contains lithium-bearing spodumene ore (lithium ore). The ore is then crushed and filtered to produce spodumene concentrate. We plan to convert the concentrate to lithium hydroxide with an innovative process that primarily uses steam and pressure to produce lithium hydroxide, a non-flammable, salt-like compound, for EV and battery manufacturers.
Creating New Opportunities for Gaston County
Cumulative Impact of Construction
Direct Jobs During Construction
Direct Employment by the Project²
Total Employment Impact²
Total Labor Compensation²
Average Compensation
Per Employee
Local Tax Impact²
Cumulative Economic Output²
1 Economic Impact Study by John E. Connaughton, Ph.D., Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte; Economic-Fiscal Impact Estimate Report
by Stanford Holshouser Economic Development Consulting LLC
² Total over five years of operations