NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL, OTC-Nasdaq: PLLLY) (“Piedmont” or “Company”) is pleased to announce that following completion of the recent capital raising and building upon the successful results from previous drilling programs, a new comprehensive 20,000-meter drill program has commenced at the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project“), located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB“). The new drill program will be focused on completing infill drilling for the definition of a maiden Mineral Resource and also aggressively testing the extensions of the pegmatites identified both along strike and down dip.

In addition, based on the drilling results on the portions of the Project explored to-date and geological modelling of the pegmatites, an initial Exploration Target of between 10 to 15 million tonnes at a grade of between 1.00% and 1.25% Li₂O has been estimated by CSA Global. The potential quantity and grade of this Exploration Target is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.

The Company remains highly confident in its ability to develop a world class integrated lithium operation in North Carolina and will continue its land acquisition strategy to capitalize on its “first-mover” initial land position in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt. The location of the Project gives it key competitive strengths over other potential lithium locations worldwide:

• The only independent spodumene project strategically located in the US
• Proximity to major downstream lithium processing facilities
• Proximity to major US battery customers (GM, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes, Tesla, etc)
• Closely located to established low cost gas and power infrastructure
• Strong, large and low cost local workforce with experience in lithium sector
• Proximity to major transportation infrastructure including highways, rail, airports and ports
• Located in North Carolina, a mining and development friendly state

Keith D. Phillips, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are extremely pleased with the scale of our initial Exploration Target for the Project, which is based on the portion of our initial core land package that has been drilled to date, and leaves considerable upside as we broaden our drill horizons and continue to expand our land package. Our next drilling program will position us to announce a maiden Mineral Resource in early to mid-2018, which will serve as the basis of a Scoping Study on the Project shortly thereafter.

“Given the numerous advantages inherent in our location in North Carolina, including outstanding infrastructure, a strong local work force, and proximity to important lithium processing facilities and other downstream customers, this initial Exploration Target is more than sufficient to support the potential re-establishment of a strategic high value battery materials operation.”

About Piedmont Lithium

Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX: PLL; OTC-Nasdaq: PLLLY) holds a 100% interest in the Piedmont Lithium Project (“Project”) located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (“TSB”) and along trend to the Hallman Beam and Kings Mountain mines, historically providing most of the western world’s lithium between 1950 and 1990. The TSB has been described as one of the largest lithium provinces in the world and is located 40 kilometers west of Charlotte, North Carolina.  It is a premier location to be developing an integrated lithium business based on its favorable geology, proven metallurgy and easy access to infrastructure, power, R&D centers for lithium and battery storage, major high-tech population centers and downstream lithium processing facilities.

The Project was originally explored by Lithium Corporation of America which eventually was acquired by FMC Corporation (“FMC”). FMC and Albemarle Corporation (“Albemarle“) both historically mined the lithium bearing spodumene pegmatites within the TSB and developed and operated the two lithium processing facilities in the region which were the first modern spodumene processing facilities in the western world.

The Company is in a unique position to leverage its position as a first mover in restarting exploration in this historic lithium producing region with the aim of developing a strategic, U.S. domestic source of lithium to supply the increasing electric vehicle and battery storage markets.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Piedmont’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Piedmont, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Piedmont makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this announcement, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that announcement.

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SOURCE Piedmont Lithium Limited