We are currently in the permitting and approvals phase of the Carolina Lithium project as we work toward construction and production.¹ Piedmont Lithium applied for our state mining permit with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division on Energy, Minerals, and Land Resources (DEMLR) in August 2021, and after more than two and a half years of numerous studies, testing, planning, and discussion, we were issued an approval of our mining permit for the construction, operation, and reclamation of Carolina Lithium in April 2024.  

The U.S. is among the world’s strictest regulators of industrial and mining activities. Organizations like DEMLR – and many others – have an important responsibility to make sure operations meet standards and regulations to protect environmental resources and the safety of communities. We appreciate the leadership and staff at NCDEQ and DEMLR for their diligence throughout the process as well as the members of our team who worked rigorously to ensure that every aspect of the project met the state’s high standards for approval.

The mining permit, which is subject to conditions both customary and specific to our type of project, is the precursor for the county rezoning process. 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.  

Copies of permit submissions and related materials are available at the main branch of the Gaston County Library for review.

¹ Subject to approvals, zoning, and funding, among other variables