In push to supply Tesla, Piedmont Lithium irks North Carolina neighbors

[TexasTowelie]

GASTON COUNTY, N.C., July 20 (Reuters) - In its quest to build one of the largest lithium mines in the United States, Piedmont Lithium Inc (PLL.O) has overlooked one crucial constituency: its North Carolina neighbors.

Piedmont last autumn signed a deal to supply U.S. electric automaker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) with lithium sourced from its deposits in North Carolina, sending the company's stock up tenfold.

Piedmont has also hired investment banks to find investors for its $840 million project, which would include an open-air pit more than 500 feet (152 m) deep and facilities to produce lithium-based electric vehicle (EV) battery chemicals.

The company, however, has not applied for a state mining permit or a necessary zoning variance in Gaston County, just west of Charlotte, despite telling investors since 2018 that it was on the verge of doing so.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/push-supply-tesla-piedmont-lithium-irks-north-carolina-neighbors-2021-07-20/

[littlemissmartypants]

1. It's not easy to open and operate a mine in NC.

It took over five years of back and forth for one close to me to even get permits to get started.

Thanks for sharing this, TT.



❤

[TexasTowelie]

2. You're welcome.

I suspect that the locals will become more involved as the plans continue to develop. Might need some popcorn while we wait to see how this turns out.

[blm]

5. Charlotte activists will fight this.

Gaston is their neighboring county.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Last I looked, all pit mines are by definition "open-air". . . . nt

[mopinko]

4. mine the damn ash ponds

that shit has plenty of lithium, and lots of groovy metals.

it's a chem 101 process to extract it. c'mon man.

[Ford_Prefect]

6. S.O.P. for a controversial project like this to put as much financial spin on it

BEFORE they actually have permitting and EPA approval.

It begs the question of just how viable the mine site is and how valuable it will be once the project has been sold to the legislature. It's Banana Republic finance: Hype it, Sell it to a 3rd party and get out of town before the dust clears and the law suits land.

This isn't designed to be a on-going business. It's a strip-mall arrangement built to be sold on to the next round of investors after the first wave of investment cash has been raked off and sent to the Caymans.

You heard it here first.

[KS Toronado]

8. Believe you are correct.

Sly rich people ripping off other rich people.

[obamanut2012]

7. This isn't going to happen

MAYBE if it was in McDowell County, but no way in this part of NC. Ever.