In a recent pivotal encounter, Piedmont Lithium faced skepticism and frustration from local officials in North Carolina as discussions centered on the company’s blueprint for a lithium mine, intended to cater to Tesla’s electric vehicle battery metal requirements.
The potential open-pit mine, a rarity in terms of U.S. lithium production sites, has encountered significant hurdles in obtaining the necessary approvals. Despite over two years of effort to kickstart the project, progress remains limited.
See also: LG Chem Secures New Source of Lithium from North America Through Agreement with Piedmont Lithium
In a public assembly involving the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, entrusted with overseeing zoning alterations, discontent stirred due to the absence of Piedmont CEO Keith Phillips. Concerns emerged regarding the prospective mine’s potential to deplete local wells, which a considerable number of residents depend on for their water supply.
Piedmont, addressing these concerns, contended that a widespread depletion of wells was not anticipated. However, it acknowledged the possibility of at least ten neighboring wells running dry.
Commissioner Allen Fraley voiced apprehension during the webcasted meeting, stating, “I don’t want to see any of our citizens ever be put in that position. How would you like to wake up one morning and your well’s dry?”
Piedmont offered its willingness to assist neighbors facing such situations by either facilitating the digging of deeper wells or connecting them to municipal water systems.
See also: Tesla Adjusts Agreement with Piedmont Lithium for Continued Lithium Supply from Quebec
Piedmont’s explanation for Phillips’ absence was that technical experts had attended in his place. The company had assembled a team specializing in environmental and legal matters, as well as experts in blasting, water management, and other technical domains.
The initiative has engendered division within the county, which is home to approximately 230,000 residents located just east of Charlotte. The friction echoes a broader national tension, as individuals apprehensive about residing near a mining site clash with those advocating for reduced dependence on China for crucial minerals such as lithium, integral for confronting climate change.
Piedmont initially inked a lithium supply agreement with Tesla in 2021, hailing from North Carolina. Although this arrangement was temporarily suspended, it was subsequently renegotiated in January after Piedmont secured a temporary source of the metal from a Quebec-based lithium mine, in which the company holds an investment.
Before proceeding with the project, which encompasses a pit exceeding 500 feet in depth and associated production infrastructure, Piedmont requires the board’s approval for a zoning variance. However, the board has declared that such a change will only be considered upon the company’s acquisition of a state mining permit. Despite almost two years of pursuit, Piedmont has recently sought a third extension to complete the requisite documentation.
See also: Tesla Launches Extended Service Agreement: Is It Worth the Investment?c
In response to commissioners’ apprehensions about the company’s potential acquisition amid surging global lithium demand, Piedmont officials assured that measures have been implemented to hinder an easy sale, albeit without providing details.
Furthermore, the company expressed its willingness to financially aid homeowners struggling to sell their properties due to the impending mine project. It also pledged efforts to prevent the discharge of processed water into local waterways.
During the meeting, multiple residents expressed opposition to the proposed mine, while none voiced support. Critics alleged that Piedmont, which relocated its headquarters from Australia to Gaston County in 2021, had been reticent in sharing comprehensive project details.
Warren Snowdon, whose land borders the proposed site over a span of 8,000 feet, remarked, “We’ve not heard from Piedmont Lithium in over two years. So I don’t know if they don’t care and I don’t know if they’re concerned about us.”
