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- Piedmont Lithium (PLL) has launched a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its integrated lithium hydroxide project in North Carolina
- The study will involve both the integrated North Carolina lithium hydroxide operations, and Metso Outotec’s innovative alkaline pressure leach technology
- The study will include initiatives to further improve the North Carolina operations including adding solar generating capacity to the business scope to offset carbon emissions and replacing the mine fleet with in-pit crushing and conveyor systems
- The project is expected to be completed in Q3 2021
- Piedmont is up 9.28 per cent, trading at $1.06
Piedmont Lithium (PLL) has launched a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its integrated lithium hydroxide project in North Carolina.
The study will involve both the integrated North Carolina lithium hydroxide operations, and Metso Outotec’s innovative alkaline pressure leach technology.
Using Metso Outotec’s technology, which omits the acid roasting step of conventional spodumene conversion, air emissions from the chemical operations are expected to be reduced compared to the company’s previous studies. Consumption of sulfuric acid and sodium sulphate waste products are also set to be eliminated.
The study will include initiatives to further improve the ESG profile of its North Carolina operations. This will mean adding solar generating capacity to the business scope to offset carbon emissions and the replacement of the mine fleet with in-pit crushing and conveyor systems, which is set to reduce both emissions and noise.
“Demand for locally and ethically-sourced battery raw materials is accelerating, and Piedmont is engaging in multiple initiatives to meet this opportunity in the most sustainable way possible,” said Piedmont President and Chief Executive Officer, Keith D Phillips.
“With the backdrop of new executive orders supporting domestic battery supply chains, we are very pleased to launch an integrated definitive feasibility study to advance our North Carolina operations.”
The CEO also said in adopting the Metso Outotec process, the company hopes to deliver enhanced DFS economics, while also positioning the project to have a lower environmental impact than any of the lithium hydroxide projects currently operating and under construction around the world.
The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021.
Piedmont is up 9.28 per cent, trading at $1.06 at 1:20 pm AEDT.
